Sol Kadi (Kokum/Amsol Kadi)

Sol Kadi or Kokum(Amsol) Kadi is a staple drink in many households of Goa, coastal Karnataka and Maharashtra(konkan). It is made in two different ways, one without using coconut milk and other one using coconut milk. Both taste delicious, my favorite being the latter :) I enjoy it even more after seafood meals. It is basically a cooling summer drink. Kokum is an outer skin of the fruit that is dried and used in kadis, fish curries etc. It imparts sour taste like tamarind and color is simply gorgeous. Goan thalis are incomplete without sol kadi :) I simply love the color of the drink, it is so eye pleasing.

In my house, my mom always made the sol kadi without coconut milk and I used to not enjoy it as a child, but now everything is just reversed :). I tuck in a packet of kokum in my bag without fail when I visit my hometown :) It has lots of health benefits too which will be jotted at the end of the page.
Konkani meals are never complete without kokum kadi or a buttermilk(tempered).

Let us check out the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 10-12 Kokum/Sol soaked in 1 cup water 
• 2 cups coconut milk*
• 2 green chillies
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 2-3 pods garlic 
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• salt as per taste

When it sits for some time this is how it looks, stir it before serving.

Preparation: 

• Grind coarsely chillies, cumin seeds, garlic and cilantro in a mixer.
• Soak kokum(sol, amsol) in water for atleast 30 minutes. It imparts fantastic color. Now squeeze all the water out of kokum and discard kokum. 
• Take 2 cups of coconut milk, add kokum water, above ground mixture, salt and mix everything nicely. 
• Chill kokum kadi for an hour before serving.
• You can garnish it with few cilantro leaves  before serving it.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Notes:* you can make coconut milk using coconut powder or canned coconut milk too. Authentic method to do is take about 1 cup of grated coconut (if frozen use little lukewarm water) add some water and grind it for few seconds, squeeze out the water in a bowl. Repeat the process for 2-3 more times. Use that water which is coconut milk in the kadi.

Health Benefits:  

Kokum (Gracinia indica) has multiple health and medicinal benefits. Kokum is an excellent source of antioxidants thus helps to minimise the impacts of many diseases. It also promotes cell regeneration and repair. Cold blend of Kokum can be rubbed on the skin in case of allergic rashes. (It is true as I have experienced it first-hand). It cures acidity to a great extent, the cold mix of kokum, sugar and little amount of salt is given to overcome the problems of acidity. One can take the mix of Kokum along with black pepper and salt to overcome indigestion. Basically, keep kokum handy in your kitchen :) it is of great use!