Kosambari

Kosambari
Alternative names	Koshambari
Type	Salad
Place of origin	India
Region or state	Karnataka
Main ingredients	Pulses, mustard seeds
	Media: Kosambari;

Kosambari or koshambari is a typical south Indian salad made from pulses (split legumes) and seasoned with mustard seeds.^[1] The pulses generally used are split bengal gram (kadale bele in Kannada) and split Green gram (Hesaru bele in Kannada). These salads are sometimes eaten as snacks, but usually as a part of full course meal.

Ingredients

Generally kosambari is made of green gram, grated coconut, coriander and chili. Optionally grated carrot or finely cut cucumber can be mixed. Oil, mustard, curry leaves, asafoetida for seasoning.

Preparation

Soak green gram for two hours. Grate coconut and carrot. Finely cut cucumber can be used too. Chop coriander, chilli. During mango season unripe mango can be grated and added. Totapuri (mango) goes well with kosambari.
Seasoning: Heat oil in a small pan, add mustard, asafoetida (optional) and curry leaf. Let the seasoning cool down. Mix all the ingredients along with salt for taste.^[2]

Tradition

Kosambari is distributed during festivals and on special occasions.^[3] It is distributed to masses during Ganesha Chaturthi and Sri Rama Navami. During Varamahalakshmi and Gowri festivals women invite each other and exchange kosambari along with turmeric and vermilion to celebrate divinity in the feminine.

Gallery

Kosambri distribution during a festival in a south Indian village.
A boy distributing consecrated kosambri - house to house in a south Indian village.
Two women are exchanging kosambari in a south Indian village during a festival
Consecrated kosambari
closeup of Kosambri with turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves, betel nut and bananas.
Women celebrating their divinity by gifting Kosambri with turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves, betel nut and bananas.

References

^ Aggarwal, U. (2016). Incredible Taste of Indian Vegetarian Cuisine. First Edition. Allied Publishers Pvt. Limited. p. 191. ISBN 978-93-85926-02-0. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
^ "MOONG DAL SALAD". Udupi Recipes. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
^ "Kosambari - This Delicious Salad From Karnataka". NDTV Food. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

[1] Aggarwal, U. (2016). Incredible Taste of Indian Vegetarian Cuisine. First Edition. Allied Publishers Pvt. Limited. p. 191. ISBN 978-93-85926-02-0. Retrieved 22 December 2017.

[2] "MOONG DAL SALAD". Udupi Recipes. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2021.

[3] "Kosambari - This Delicious Salad From Karnataka". NDTV Food. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

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