Gongura Pachadi Recipe | Gongura Pickle & Chutney

Gongura Pachadi is prepared using Gongura or గోంగూర in Telugu, also known as Roselle in English. Gongura is a green leafy vegetable plant that is widely consumed across multiple states in India. However, it is highly popular and most loved in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India.

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Gongura Pachadi is an indispensable part of your rice-eating experience. Gongura Pachadi is a sour and tangy side dish that goes well with rice and other Indian recipes. It is also called pickle in some parts of India. Let’s see how to make the Gongura pachadi recipe.

Recipe to prepare Gongura Chutney or Pachadi:

Curious to know, How to do yummy Andhra Gongura Chutney? Discover how to prepare Gongura Chutney at home in the step-by-step procedure detailed below,

Taste & Looks of Gongura Leaves:

The leaves of Gongura are an excellent source of riboflavin, folate, zinc, iron, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. The leaves of Gongura are broad and a single complete leaf during the baby stages of the plant. As the plant grows, the leaves split into 4 or more parts. Leaves of Gongura are usually alternate and green like any other leafy vegetable with red veins and the endings of the leaf are toothed.

Gongura leaves are sour in taste and are mainly grown for their culinary and medicinal value as a herb. Gongura leaves with red stem are sourer than the one with green stem and the sourness of the leaves depends on the climatic conditions of the region in which it is grown. The hotter the region, the sourer the leaves. 

What is Gongura called in my native language?

Gongura has multiple names and below are a few names as it is called in various states and languages of India:

• In Tamil Nadu, It is popular as Pulicha Keerai (In Tamil: புளிச்சைக் கீரை)
• In Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, It is famous as Gongura
• In Orissa, It is called Khatta Palanga
• In Northern and Central Karnataka, It is known as Pundi Palle (In Kannada: ಪುಂಡಿ ಪಲ್ಲೆ)
• In Maharashtra or Marathi, It is known as Ambaadi (अंबाडी)
• In Bengali, it is called Mestapat
• In Gujarati, it is known as Ambadi

Nutritional Potential of Gongura or Roselle:

In terms of nutrition, Gongura or any green leafy vegetables, in general, are an essential part of a balanced diet. They are low in calories (100 g of raw leaves provide just 49 kcalories) and offer higher nutritional benefits. 

• Its leaves are rich in dietary fibres.
• It contains vitamins such as Vitamin A, B1, B2 & C.
• A study reveals that the leaves of Gongura can be used as potential sources of vitamins, minerals, and phenolics with antioxidant activity and antimicrobial agents.

How is Gongura consumed?

There are multiple ways in which Gongura can be consumed and many parts of this easy-to-grow green leafy vegetable are edible. In India, Gongura or Roselle has been included in the diet for a long and its leaves are widely consumed. In Andhra and Telangana states of India, its leaves are used and consumed as chutney or pickle or pachadi. It is also consumed in the form of dal curry or tovve as called in Kannada or Pappu as called in Telugu. Gongura leaves can be pickled, steamed, blanched, or grounded to form chutney.

Raw Gongura or Roselle can be used as an accent, but young leaves of Gongura can be wonderfully tossed into salads, making for an amazing sour bite. Gongura is one of the green leafy vegetables that can make you feel energized and refreshed. When it’s cooked, it makes excellent homemade sauces.

Below are a few precautions that have to be taken care while consuming Gongura:

1. Please talk to your doctor and get it clarified if you can consume Gongura during pregnancy.
2. Gongura contains Oxalic Acid in excess. Oxalic Acid is one of the main reasons for kidney stone formation as it combines with Calcium to form Calcium Oxalate. It is advised that people who are prone to Kidney stones or who are advised to reduce the  consumption of oxalate are advised to consume Gongura in moderate quantities and talk to your doctor if you can consume Gongura
3. While cooking, ensure that you don’t use a vessel made of cast iron or aluminium. Gongura reacts with cast iron or aluminium vessels to produce a metallic flavour thereby making it inedible. 
4. Gongura is a natural source of iron and has been used to treat anaemia in some countries with mixed results. If you have high iron levels, you should avoid using them.

Gongura Nutritional Information:

Knowing about what Gongura is is not enough; you will have to deeply understand it in order to learn about its key benefits of Gongura. Some of the health benefits associated with the consumption of Gongura are as follows:

• It is a homemade remedy for building immunity: Gongura contains Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, which helps in building the immunity and appetite of an individual. Vitamin C present in Gongura also helps in preventing and reducing the regular occurrence of colds as well.
• Gongura promotes digestion and removal of toxins from the body: The seeds of Gongura fruit are popular for their diuretic and tonic properties. The dietary fibre present in Gogura helps in the easy movement of food within the body and also helps in regularizing bowel movements. Regularizing bowel movements helps in the prevention of constipation.
• Helps in building strong bones: The calcium and phosphorus present in Gongura help in building bones and making them strong. Since our body cannot prepare calcium, we will have to depend on the food that we eat and other supplements to meet our daily recommended intake of calcium. Including Gogura in your diet, would be of great help when you plan your diet.
• Acts as a protective shield for your liver: Gongura contains antioxidants in abundance. Antioxidants are known to protect against diseases by eliminating free radicals from the body. A study reveals that Gongura leaf extraction helps in the protection of the liver.
• Helps in strengthening weak gums and teeth: The calcium present in Gongura helps in eliminating gum and teeth-related problems and makes them strong.
• Helps you maintain good health during pregnancy: During the pregnancy phase, women would require 27 milligrams of iron daily. Gongura being rich in Iron can help you meet this requirement when added to your diet program along with other foods that are rich in Iron. Please Note: Please talk to your doctor before having Gongura
• Helps in weight loss & weight management: Foods rich in carbohydrates are the main reason for weight gain. Gongura helps in the absorption of carbohydrates thereby helping in weight loss and weight management. Research has been made on rats to understand if Gongura can help in the adsorption of carbohydrates and has been proved to be positive.
• Gongura is good for your eyes: Gongura contains Vitamin A which is very beneficial for your eyes.
• Gongura is a mineral-rich green leafy vegetable that contains potassium and magnesium which helps in regulating and managing blood pressure levels. A study was made to understand if sour tea (Gongura or Hibiscus sabdariffa) is beneficial in lowering blood pressure and the result was found to be positive. However, it also suggests that detailed research regarding the same has to be performed.

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