Gotukola Sambol (Pennywort Salad)
Gotukola Sambol (Pennywort Salad) - kvalifood.com
A fresh, raw salad-condiment of finely chopped gotu kola (pennywort) leaves tossed with grated coconut, red onion, green chili, lime juice, and salt. Eaten daily in Sri Lanka alongside rice and curry. Everything is raw and assembled by hand – no cooking involved.
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch gotu kola (pennywort), leaves and tender stems
- 40 g freshly grated coconut
- 5-6 small red shallots, thinly sliced
- 1-2 small green chillies, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped (optional)
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp Maldive fish flakes (optional)
- salt, to taste
Directions
Wash the gotu kola thoroughly. Remove and discard thick stems. Chop the leaves and tender stems very finely.
Combine the chopped gotu kola with grated coconut, shallots, green chillies, tomato (if using), and Maldive fish (if using) in a bowl.
Add lime juice and salt. Mix well with your hands, working the ingredients together for a minute or two so the flavors combine.
Taste and adjust salt and lime juice. Serve immediately alongside rice and curry.
Notes
Use fresh coconut if possible – the texture and flavor are much better than desiccated.
Gotu kola is available at Asian grocery stores. It has a mild, slightly bitter, herbaceous flavor.
Best consumed fresh. Does not keep well.
See Also
Lunu Miris (Sri Lankan Chili-Onion Sambal)
Katta Sambol (Sri Lankan Chili and Maldive Fish Condiment)
