Whenever we talk about Goan cuisine, rice and fish curry is the first thing that comes to our mind. As Goa is located on the west coast of India, most people can only remember their seafood and coastal spices. Also the Goan cuisine has drawn influence from variety of other cuisine, which includes Saraswat, South Indian and British cuisines but with dominance of Portuguese and Konkani cuisines. Dishes like Goan fish curry, chicken cafreal, goan pork vindaloo and chicken xacuti are very popular among locals as well as tourists.
Goan desserts are among the best and yet less discovered delicacies. If someone love coconuts, they will sure enjoy the Goan desserts as it offers a wide variety of desserts to choose from. One among them is the traditional dessert called Tavsali, a steamed cucumber cake of Goa. The main ingredient of this sweet dish is yellow cucumber of Goa which is also called toushe in Konkani. Along with this, semolina/rice, cashew and jaggery go into the making of this cake. Since cucumber is the main ingredient, Tasvali has many benefits. Though it is a sweet dish, it is not too sweet but gives out a light sweetness with cucumber dominating the taste. This vegan dessert is popular as a tea-time snack among the goans.
Here is the easy recipe for the healthy steamed cucumber cake:
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook time 60 minutes
Total time 60 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coarse rava (semolina)
- 2 cucumbers
- 1/2 cup grated coconut
- 1 cup powdered jaggery
- 1/4 cup broken cashew nuts
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tsp ghee or coconut oil
- 2 tsp milk (optional)
Method:
- Heat 1 tsp of ghee or coconut oil in a pan and add the rava. Roast it on low-medium heat until lightly brown and then remove from heat. Allow it to cool completely.
- Peel and grate the cucumbers and add to the rava, after its cooled.
- Add the grated coconut, cashew nuts and cardamom powder.
- Add jaggery powder to taste. You can add more or less as per your taste.
- Then shape the cookie dough as a log before chilling or as a ball of dough.
- Heat water in a steamer or pressure cooker. If using a cooker, don't close the lid.
- Grease a tin with ghee or coconut oil and add the cake batter to it.
- Place the tin in the cooker or steamer and close the lid. If using a cooker, do not put the whistle.
- Steam on medium heat for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted knife comes clean.
- Allow to cool slightly and then demold. Cool completely before cutting.
- Store in the fridge if not eating the same day.
This recipe serves four to five people. Enjoy the taste of Goa in form of this cake with your family.
