Easy Spring Onion & Cherry Tomato Salsa (Kathiawadi Dungri tameta ni kachumber)

Indian meals often include pickles, salads and chutneys because they bring different tastes, textures and freshness to the meal. They may be served in small quantities, but they can make a big difference to the overall eating experience.

Indian meals often include pickles, salads and chutneys because they bring different tastes, textures and freshness to the meal. They may be served in small quantities, but they can make a big difference to the overall eating experience.

1. Pickles (Achaar)

Pickles bring a sharp, tangy, salty and sometimes spicy flavour to a meal. A little mango, lime or chilli pickle can add a wonderful punch to a simple dish of dal, rice or khichdi.

Traditionally, pickling was also a way to preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables for longer, using ingredients such as salt, oil and spices.

2. Salads and sambharo

Fresh warm salads made with carrots, papayas with lemon or green chilli add crunch and juiciness to a meal.

They provide a refreshing contrast to curries, dal, roti and rice.

3. Chutneys

Chutneys bring another layer of flavour. Green coriander chutney may be fresh, herby and hot, while tamarind chutney is often sweet and tangy. Coconut, peanut and tomato chutneys offer yet more variety.

They can complement a dish, provide a contrast or make a simple snack taste quite different.

The secret is balance

Many Indian meals bring together several tastes and textures:

Not every meal includes all these elements, and food traditions vary across India’s regions and households. In Gujarati homes, for example, you might find a sweet mango pickle, a fresh kachumber or a coriander chutney served alongside everyday food.

There is also a practical side: a small spoonful of pickle or chutney can add plenty of flavour to a simple meal without needing to prepare another elaborate dish.

Looking for a quick and easy side dish to serve with your Indian meal? This fresh spring onion and cherry tomato salsa takes just a few minutes to prepare and adds a lovely crunch, colour and flavour to any curry and rice.

Made with simple, everyday ingredients, this easy tomato salsa can be adjusted to suit your taste. Add fresh coriander, green chilli, lemon juice and roasted cumin powder for extra flavour. If you’re short of time, simply mix the chopped vegetables with a spoonful of tomato sauce for an instant shortcut!

This is a lovely alternative to a traditional salad and a simple way to make an everyday vegetarian meal more interesting. Serve it freshly prepared alongside your favourite Indian dishes.

METHOD:  Easy Spring Onion & Cherry Tomato Salsa

Fresh, crunchy and full of flavour, this simple salsa takes just a few minutes to prepare. It’s perfect with any Indian curry and rice, adding crunch, freshness and flavour to every mouthful.

Ingredients

• 6–8 cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
• 3–4 spring onions, finely sliced
• A small handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• ½ small green chilli, finely chopped — optional
• ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
• Juice of ½ lemon or a tbls balsam vinegar
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Add the chopped cherry tomatoes and spring onions to a bowl.
2. Add the coriander and green chilli, if using.
3. Sprinkle in the roasted cumin powder and a little salt.
4. Add the lemon juice (or balsam vinegat) and gently mix everything together.
5. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

In a rush? Mina’s Tip:  Skip the spices and lemon and simply add a spoonful of tomato sauce to the chopped tomatoes and spring onions. Give it a good mix and you have a quick, tasty salsa ready to serve.

Some variations:

Serve fresh alongside your favourite Indian curry and rice.

Mina’s Tip: Make it just before serving so the spring onions stay crisp and the tomatoes retain their freshness.

Second tip: If you have already made the salad ahead of dinner, don’t add salt and lemon to avoid salad loosing its crunch.

More Indian Accompaniments to Try from my blog:

If you enjoy serving something fresh and flavourful alongside your Indian meals, try my Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes and Passion Fruit Salsa, Tomato Dip/Chutney (Tameta ni Chutney) or Peanut, Onion and Tomato Chutney.

Each recipe offers a different way to add extra flavour to your everyday meals.

One important point: Ready made Pickles and chutneys can be high in salt or sugar, depending on how they are made, so small portions are often enough.

Ultimately, these accompaniments are not just extras on the plate. They are part of the pleasure of Indian eating — allowing you to combine flavours in your own way and make each mouthful a little different.
And perhaps that is one of the beauties of Indian cooking: even a simple meal of dal, rice and roti can feel complete with just a little pickle, some fresh salad and a spoonful of chutney. 🌿

How many of you always need chutneys, papads and chaas/Laasi everyday with your meal?

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