This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tamarind chutney is a viral Indian Condiment recipe that is used in street foods like panipuri, bhel, sevpuri, etc. This chutney is a sweet and tangy chutney made from dates, tamarind, and jaggery. This chutney is also known as saunth chutney too. However, I don't know the reason why it is known as sooth chutney.
Khatti Meethi Imli ki Chutney is a lip-smacking chutney or say a thick paste made with tamarind. Wikipedia tells me that the word 'chutney' means to lick in many Indian languages. After all, this chutney is so delicious that you may end up eating the entire jar.
I always keep a small jar of chutney like lahsun ki chutney, tamarind chutney, and green chutney in my refrigerator. I love my samosas and batata vada with tangy and sweet tamarind chutney.
IN THIS POST,
Process of making Tamarind Dates Chutney or Khajur Imli Chutney?
Method 1 - To make Tamarind Chutney with dates, chop some seedless dates and soak them in 3 cups of water for 20 minutes. Add the dates along with the water in which they were soaked and tamarind in a pan. add some water.
Reduce the amount of jaggery according to your taste and keep the remaining process the same as mentioned below. When the chutney is ready, cool it a bit and blend it in a blender to make a smooth chutney.
Method 2 - This method is a bit quicker. Transfer soaked dates, tamarind and jaggery to a pressure cooker. cook it for 2 whistles. cool it down. and strain it to get a nice velvety pulp.
season it with salt, chat masala, some fresh coriander and use as required.
Can you freeze Sweet Tamarind Chutney?
This chutney stays good in a refrigerator for 15 days. however, if you want to freeze it, just transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for 5-6 months. When using it, thaw it over the counter for 3-4 hours and use as required. You can even defrost this chutney in microwave.
How long does Sweet Chutney last?
Tamarind chutney lasts for 12 to 15 days when refrigerated. Make sure to use a clean glass container to store it.
Where to use tamarind Chutney?
Tamarind chutney can be served with samosa, dhokla, kachori, pakoda, sabudana vadas and is used to make any chaat including
- Dahi Vada
- Pani Puri
- Sev Puri
- Dahi papdi chaat
- Aloo Chaat
Reasons to love this recipe,
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Super Easy to make
- Sweet, Sour, Spicy and Tangy
- Can be refrigerated for a long time
Let's make Tamarind chutney,
Recipe
Equipment
- knife
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Tamarind /Imli
- 1 cup dates
- ½ cup Jaggery, adjust to taste
- salt to taste
- 1 cup hot water, to soak tamarind
- 1 cup hot water, to soak dates
- 1 cup water, to cook tamarind and dates
- 1 tablespoon chaat masala
- ¼ teaspoon black salt
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder, optional
Instructions
- Soak the tamarind in hot water for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, soak dates too.
making tamarind pulp,method -1
- Now, squeeze dates and tamarind using your hand. DO NOT THROW the water away.
- transfer everything along with the water in a pan.
- Add jaggery.
- Cook the mixture for 10 mins on medium flame.
making tamarind pulp,method -2
- Now, transfer soaked tamarind, soaked dates and jaggery in a pressure cooker. Add 1 cup of water too.
- pressure cook for 2 whistles. and keep aside.
making chutney
- Now, add salt, black salt, red chili powder and chat masala into the cooked pulp.
- cool the mixture properly.
- now transfer the dates, tamarind mixture to the mixer and blend smooth puree.
- further strain the puree.and transfer the prepared khajoor imli ka chutney into airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- you can have the consistency of the imli chutney as per your choice. simply alter the amount of water and make the imli chutney slightly thin or thick as per your requirements.
- if jaggery is not available then as an alternative option you can add sugar. the taste will be little different. the amount of sugar depends upon sweetness of sugar and the sourness of tamarind. so add the sugar as per requirement.
- this tamarind chutney recipe can be doubled.
We always have tamarind paste on hand. Love the sour, sweet, spicy in this recipe, they perfect little bite. Great idea to make in advance and store in a glass container.
Priya, love this tamarind chutney! It's my favorite part of panipuri! Yours looks so beautiful!
This looks very delicious. I would love to make this to use for bhel puri, dahi papdi chaat and pani puri! However, I don't make Indian snacks a lot, so I'm wondering, could I put the chutney in the freezer?
Ohh Yes, you can store this chutney in freezer.