By Rajlakshmi
April 23, 2026
When summer arrives, tambuli is a buttermilk broth that is prepared in almost every household in Karnataka. This recipe uses minimum ingredients like cucumber, coconut, green chilli, curd and a simple tempering.
1 medium-sized cucumber ½ cup grated coconut 1-2 green chillies ¾ cup thick buttermilk 1 tsp cooking oil 1 red chilli ½ tsp mustard seeds A few curry leaves A pinch of hing or asafoetida Salt, to taste Water, as needed
Rinse and chop the cucumber into small pieces. In a mixer jar, add the cucumbers and grated coconut.
Add the green chillies. Add the salt and a little bit of water. Grind into a fine paste.
Add the buttermilk and grind again. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
Temper curry leaves, oil, hing, red chilli and mustard seeds. Remove from heat.
Add the buttermilk and cucumber mixture. Give it a few stirs. Serve cucumber tambulo with rice.