20 September, 2014
Dried Neem flower soup (Veppam poo rasam)
Today I bring you a very traditional recipe, a treasured recipe from my mother. A very healthy soup or rasam made with dried neem flowers. I have not seen neem flowers sold anywhere outside India. Neem is known for its therapeutic (antibiotic, anti-diabetic) properties and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times.
The dried flowers can be bought in herb shops in India. My mom just collects flowers falling off a neem tree in the yard of our house, cleans them and dries them in the sun. How simple! She gets me a packet of this whenever she gets to visit me. “Make this at least once a month, it is a good for the digestive system”. I have always liked this ‘rasam’ (‘ras’ in Sanskrit, meaning extract) that is traditionally eaten in our home mixed with rice in the main course, but I love it just as a soup, slightly bitter, sour and tangy!
Taking this soup to folks at Fiesta Friday #34 hosted by Selma and Elaine.
Neem flower rasam
Ingredients:
Neem flowers- 2 tbsp.
tamarind- a small amount (or 1/2 tbsp. tamarind paste)
tomato- 1 medium
red chilly- 1 or 2
asafoetida powder- a pinch
salt- to taste
water- 2-3 cups
ghee (clarified butter)- 1 tsp.
mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp.
Method:
* Extract juice from tamarind by soaking it in warm water and squeezing it out.
* Add mustard seeds to ghee in a pan, wait till they sputter. Then add red chilly and neem flowers and roast gently on low heat till an aroma develops.
* Add finely chopped tomato, water, tamarind paste (or extract from whole tamarind), asafoetida powder. Let it come to a boil.
* Lower the heat and let it come to a boil one more time.
* Serve warm.
Note:
* A small amount of well-mashed, cooked lentils (toor or split pigeon peas) may be added to make this a more filling soup.
* Some curry leaves can be added for more flavor.
28 thoughts on : Dried Neem flower soup (Veppam poo rasam)
This is one of the best rasam and my mom used to prepare this often as my dad loves it
Was the same in my house too!
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I have never heard of these flowers but they sure sound amazing and such incredible healing properties. Too bad they don’t have them here!
Yes, Brandi, I wish too that they were available here. I think soon enough we may see it on some online source…hopefully!
Yes, you reminded me of my mom’s rasam
One of the big advantages of blogging, I suppose.
With all the health benefits of neem, this rasam must be so nutritious!
Yes, I love it!
I’ve heard of Neem but never knew the flowers are used in cooking. The soup sounds great.
so unique.. reminded me of neem leaves crisped fries that we use to have with steamed rice,,
That’s true! We make that too, I love to have the shallow-fried neem flowers.
true sometimes with diced pumpkins and hint of sugar
Wow lovely healthy flavoursome soup/rasam…
How interesting, I have never heard of Neem before and your soup sounds so delicious!
thanks, Petra!
I haven’t heard of neem before, but this sounds wonderful!
it sure is…thanks, Nell!
I have never had this. Im curious now!
Hmm, is neem is not used even in Karnataka and Maharashtra? Must be TN/Kerala ayurvedic practice…
Oh wow – this sounds so delicious – I must look for neem flowers in the Indian shops when I go next. Thank you so much for sharing this family classic with us at Fiesta Friday, Apsara! Have a wonderful week!
Glad you like it, Selma. But I doubt that you’ll find it, let me know if you do! That would be really nice if you can find it somewhere.
Its been ages since I had neem flower. Have tasted pachadi with jaggery and shallow fried In ghee but this s new to me.. Would love to try
Yes, I just love the neem in our Tamil new year pachadi…so good!
Wow…so you get home picked neem flowers! I have heard neem tree is very medicinal. I have not tried this rasam but at home I have a neem tree and must start collecting its flowers and try this.
You do? Lovely! A tip… just spread a big sheet of cloth or news paper under the tree when the blossoms fall, that’s how we do it.
A very tasty looking interesting soup for me! I Will try it out soon, xx
Glad you’re back Sophie! xx