Thakkali Thokku | Tomato Thokku

Thakkali Thokku - South Indian Tomato Pickle

Thokku is a spicy South Indian condiment, relatively similar to our Indian pickles and chutneys. Thokku can be made from vegetables, fruits and even herbs. Thokku is slow cooked which gives it a longer shelf life. Thokku can be stored up to a month if stored and handled properly. Thokku is usually served as a side dish with idli and dosa or mixed with hot rice or curd rice. 

When tomatoes are available at cheap prices, I buy them and make this tomato thokku. This thakkali thokku is a very versatile condiment. It can be served with any South Indian tiffin items, rice, chapathi or as a spread. This recipe is a typical Brahmin style one with no onions or garlic. I make another version with onion and garlic, which I will post later. This homemade tomato thokku is much better and healthier than the store brought ones. The thokku stays good up to a month in the fridge. So next time you find tomatoes at a cheap rate in the markets, get some and make this delicious thokku. 

Thakkali Thokku - South Indian Tomato Pickle

Thakkali Thokku

South Indian spicy condiment with tomato and spices
Servings 200 grams
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6-7 medium tomatoes
  • 2 ½ tbsp gingelly oil / sesame oil / nallennai
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida / hing / perugayam
  • 2-3 sprigs curry leaves
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 tsp red chilly powder
  • 1 tbsp grated jaggery
  • 1 tsp fenugreek powder / methi powder
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Wash the tomatoes and pat them dry. Chop them into small pieces.
  • Heat a kadai and add oil. Add mustard seeds and when it splutters, add asafoetida and curry leaves.
  • Add the tomatoes and mix well. Cook in medium heat until the tomatoes soften and turn mushy. Then add turmeric powder, red chilly powder, jaggery, salt and mix well.
  • Cook the tomatoes on a low-medium heat for about 25-30 minutes or until all the water has evaporated and the tomato mixture has thickened up.
  • Add fenugreek powder and adjust salt if required. Cook for another 3-4 minutes and remove from heat. Cool completely and transfer to airtight bottle.

Notes

  • If your tomatoes are less sour, add 1-2 tsp tamarind paste or thick tamarind extract along with spices.
  • Adjust the amount of red chilly powder according to your spice preference.
  • If you find the thokku is spicy at the end, add little more jaggery and adjust.
  • Always use a dry and clean spoon to take out thokku.
  • To make fenugreek powder, dry roast fenugreek seeds (do not brown too much) and powder them finely.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you! Or snap a photo and tag @spillthespices on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #spillthespices.

Join the Conversation

  1. Wow this is my kinda thokku.looks yummy and I badly want this one.

  2. Looks so good! Lovely photography!

  3. The thokku looks so tempting with the thayir saadam..

  4. nice color.. and tempting pic.. nothing can beat the combo of curd rice and pickle

  5. Tomato thokku looks delicious Sona.. Perfect color and consistency.. Love love your pics, keep going girl..!!!

  6. looks so yummy and chat patta… love it with rotis.

  7. Thakali thokku looks yum

  8. I can literally feel the amazing flavours. Yum yum yum 🙂

  9. I can literally feel the amazing flavours. Yum yum yum 🙂

  10. My favorite thokku.. love this one with everrything.. loved your pics dear, the thayir sadam thokku picture superb..

  11. Wow.. what a vibrant colour.. lipsmacking thokku.

  12. Fabulous pics Sona.. The thokku has a nice color and looks yummy.. Last pic makes me drool.. 🙂

  13. Wow!! Lip-smacking thokku!! Love the jar 🙂

  14. I love !! I love !! this is in my pending list.. with lots of tomato stocked up. I must make it , I guess. Whats the shelf life ?

  15. Sona, Found your blog through Sandhya's blog hop. Beautiful pictures and Thankkli thokku looks delicious. – Sreelatha

  16. yummy, I love thokku. My neighbour in Bangalore always use to send me a jar whenever she made it. Missing it. Will follow your recipe to make some.

  17. wow..loved the last click,so tempting…super yumm,bookmarked !!

  18. this can be stored and used as required nice idea

  19. Wow Sona just love your pics. The thokku with the curd rice looks so tempting.

  20. looks so tempting..really very yumm

  21. If you are keeping outside, it will stay good for a week. If you keep in fridge, it will be good upto a month.

  22. Tomato thokku looks so nice and drool worthy.

  23. Tomato thooku Looks delish..I cam finish it in nio time
    http://traditionallymodernfood.com/

  24. I did two days back …The same version of yours.
    Yummy

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