Holi, the spring festival of India is around the corner. Chaats are one of the main street foods to try during Holi. Here, I give you an easy version of Sweet Tamarind Chutney/Imli Chutney for you which is a must for any chaats.
Holi- the spring festival
Holi is a spring festival in India. It is also called as ‘ festival of colors ‘ as people smear colors on each other. Nowadays they use water guns and water balloons with colors to spray on people.
Like any festival, food plays a major part here too. Thandai and Chaats are popular food at this time. Thandai is a cool drink made with almonds, fennel seeds, and many more ingredients.
What is Chaat?
Chaat is usually a street food that mainly has deep-fried bread, potatoes, and chickpeas along with sweet and sour chutneys.
Sweet Tamarind Chutney/ Imli Chutney
This sweet tamarind chutney or Imli chutney is a must for any chaat. This chutney gives sweetness to the spicy chaat.
What does Imli Chutney taste like
This Imli Chutney tastes sweet and sour. The sweetness comes from dates and jaggery as I said and the sourness from tamarind.
How long can I store this chutney?
It stays good for a month when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Make sure to use only a clean spoon.
How to make Sweet Tamarind Chutney/Imli Chutney
There are various ways to make this sweet chutney. I give you an easy to make this sweet chutney. You have to boil pitted dates along with tamarind and enough water. Add spices. Once the dates are soft enough to mash, cool it down and blend it. Strain this. Yummy tamarind chutney is ready to have along with chaat and samosas. You can see the stuffing to make Easy Samosa Stuffing
Other snacks for you
Paruppu Vadai/ Chana Dal Fritter
Stuffed Bread Roll – with Samosa filling
Aloo/Potato & Onion Bhaji/Fritters
Ragi Pakoda / Finger Millet fritters
Imli chutney recipe
Ingredients
Dates – 1/2 cup ( pitted )
Tamarind – a small lemon-sized ( soaked in 1 cup water)
Red Chili Powder – 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Jaggery – 1/4 cup or as per taste
Salt – A pinch
Method
- Take 1 cup of water in a pan and boil it.
- Once it boils, add dates and tamarind soaked along with soaked water.
- Then allow it to boil till the dates become mushy. Mash it in the back of the ladle.
- Add the spice powders with jaggery.
- Mix and let it boil till the raw smell goes.
- Remove from heat.
- When it cools down, blend it in a blender.
- Strain it.
- Serve it with chaats and samosas.
Notes
- Adjust red chili powder as per your taste.
- You can add more dates or jaggery if you need more sweetness.
- While straining, add the required water if the chutney is too thick.
- If the chutney goes too watery, heat it again till it becomes a little thick.
Sweet Tamarind Chutney/ Imli Chutney
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Dates Pitted
- Tamarind Small lemon sized (soaked)
- 1/2 Tsp Red Chili Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Cumin Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garam Masala
- Salt a pinch
- 1/4 Cup Jaggery
Instructions
- Take 1 cup water in a pan and boil it.
- Once it boils, add dates and tamarind soaked along with soaked water.
- Then allow it to boil till dates become mushy. Mash it in back of the ladle.
- Add the spice powders with jaggery.
- Mix and let it boil till the raw smell goes.
- Remove from heat.
- When it cools down,blend it in blender.
- Strain it.Serve it with chaats and samosas.
Notes
- Adjust red chili powder as per your taste.
- You can add more dates or jaggery if you need more sweetness.
- While straining, add required water if the chutney is too thick.
- If the chutney goes too watery, heat it again till it becomes little thick.
Nutrition
Pin Tamarind Chutney/Imli Chutney
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Can I use tamarind paste? Thank you
Yes you can
This sounds really delicious and simple to make! Can’t wait to give it a try
Thank you
I have never tried chutney and you have made it look so easy and sounds delicious. I can’t wait to give this a try.
Thank you
That is so exciting! And this chutney must be so flavorful and delicious to enjoy! I wish you a great celebration! 🙂
Thank you
The name of the holiday is so symbolic! This chutney is so delicious and inviting that I should definitely make one at home and try!
Thank you
Tamarind chutney is my favourite! I didn’t realise dates were part of the mix. So delicious. Will have to try this.
Thank you
I would love to try Tamarind Chutney if someone invites me to the festival of colors 😉.
Thank you
I love that this recipe has dates in it which I bet makes it so unique and sweet. This is a great recipe to have year long.
Thank you