Thakkali Thokku is a traditional South Indian pickle prepared with tomatoes. Tomato pickles tastes great with tiffin items like idli, dosa, uthappam, upma etc. Whether it is taken as a side for curd rice or mixed with rice, thakkali thokku is always a winner. It can be prepared and stored in fridge for weeks.
Tomatoes are perfect combination of tanginess and mild sweetness. I can’t imagine a grocery trip without buying tomatoes. Be it a gravy/chutney/soup/rice tomatoes always make the dish extra special.
Tomato thokku is one of my childhood favorite. Growing up I was not a big fan of pulikaichal. Next to mango pickle tomato pickle was my favorite. Those days I use to eat pickle almost everyday. Irrespective of whatever rice accompaniment Amma makes. I always like mixing a little pickle with rice and having it for curd rice.
Before marriage I have never tried preparing thakkali thokku. In Amma’s absence I try to cook something, but she always makes thokku before travel and keep it in fridge. Couple of years back I tried it for the first time.
Tomato pickle was the first pickle I ever tried. I was so worried how it will taste, but We both finished the jar in no time. It is bit time consuming but taste subsides the stirring effort.
Also check out tomato onion chutney and tomato kurma
Tomatoes can be chopped finely and made thokku or rough chop and grind. Both Aammas usually grind it so I follow the same procedure. I have heard from a friend that thokku can also be prepared but boiling the tomatoes in hot water, peel the skin ;Cool and grind. I am yet to try that method. Tomato thokku doesn’t require lot off ingredients . Tomato thukku tastes great with dishes like Semiya Bagala bath or Bread Utthappam or Cracked wheat Idli or Panniyaram etc. It tastes amazing with plain rice as well!
Checkout other pickle varieties in TMF,
Thakkali Thokku (Tomato Pickle)
Ingredients
- Ripe tomatoes - 10 - 12
- Red chilli powder – 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp adjust according to your spice level
- Sesame oil - 3 tbsp + 1 tsp Increase oil if you are going to store for a week
- Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
- Fenugreek - 1/4 tsp
- Jaggery – 1 tbsp+ 1 tsp
- Salt - as needed
Instructions
- Put tomatoes in a blender and blend without adding water
- Add oil to a wide pan (while boiling, tomatoes tend to spit spill outside). When oil is hot, add mustard seeds and fenugreek and let it splutter. Add tomato puree and sauté occasionally
- When tomato puree reduces to half, add red chilli powder and salt
- Keep stirring once in a while. Add jaggery after the raw smell of Chilli powder goes off
- Cook till water evaporates completely and the tomatoes become thick
Notes
- Tamarind puree can be added, if you want it a bit tangy
- Keep in airtight container and use a dry spoon, for the thukku to stay longer
- Brown sugar/ white sugar can be added instead of Jaggery
- Mustard Seed powder and fenugreek powder can be added along with chilli powder
Ripe tomatoes – 10 – 12
Red chilli powder – 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp (adjust according to your spice level)
Sesame oil – 3 tbsp + 1 tsp (Increase oil if you are going to store for a week)
Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek – 1/4 tsp
Jaggery – 1 tbsp+ 1 tsp
Salt – as needed
Method:
- Put tomatoes in a blender and blend without adding water
- Add oil to a wide pan (while boiling, tomatoes tend to spit spill outside). When oil is hot, add mustard seeds and fenugreek and let it splutter. Add tomato puree and saute occassionally
- When tomato puree reduces to half, add red chilli powder and salt
- Keep stirring once in a while. Add jaggery after the raw smell of Chilli powder goes off
- Cook till water evaporates completely and the tomatoes become thick
My all time favorite , look at the color , just awesome 🙂
Thanks Malar:-)
One of my favorite side dish with dosa and idlis! Love it!
Thanks Priya:-)
This looks great, I love that it’s not full of sugar!!
Thanks Elaine:-) it’s spicy side dish but having sweet tooth I add little sugar
🙂
Tomato or mango thokku who say no for this? just by the name thokku – started droooooling. I would go for panniyaram with this. …slurp. …
Yes Chitra, cant say no to thokku:-) Do try it dear
Wil do for sure vidya. …bookmarked it already. …👍👍👍
Ok Dear:-)
Mmmm, yummy tomato thokku! Must do recipe for all the lazy cooks like me 😉
Its easy, do try Sindhu:-)
This thokku is versatile side dish for any thing ..just love it
Yes totally agree:-)
Looks lovely – pinned it to try later 🙂
Do try:-) Thanks Jan:-)
Wow. Amazing Color 😀
Thanks Charan:-)
I love tomato condiments. I would love this on a grilled cheese sandwich.
Thanks Suzanne:-) ya sandwich is a great idea
This looks really good. Thank you for sharing.
Happy that you liked it:-) thanks
This does look really good. I love things made with fresh garden tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe. Sharing on my Indian Food board on Pinterest.
Thanks Jeanne:-)
My fav anytime………looks mouthwatering!
Thanks Sony:-)
This looks great. Just picked tomatoes today and may have to try it.
Simple and delicious Vidya 🙂
Thanks Linda:-)
Oooh yes, I can make that today with my home grown red tomatoes! Ooh yes! Looks magnificent too! xxx
Do try Sophie:-) I am eager to hear from you
Thanks:-) Do try, waiting to hear from you
A few months back, I didn’t know that it’s called thokku 😛 But I absolutely love it… Using it as a spread on plain dosa, having it with paratha, sometimes on sandwich too 😉 Wonderful recipe…
Thanks Shruti:-) yes it goes well with so many dishes. Thokku is Tamil word:-)
Achchaaaa.. now I’ll tell my hubby tat word n let him ask what it is 😛
:-):-)
Tangy delight 🙂
Yes G:-)
so pretty!
Thanks Liz:-)
Hi vidu..Happened to see ur Facebook page only today… Really proud of u my dear…keep rocking😃..
Just a small inclusion…Adding some garlic in the oil will give extra flavour and taste to the dish….
Thanks for stopping by Ani:-) such a lovely tip will add it in my notes