Chigali

Chigali is a popular tangy tamarind^[1] treat usually made in Southern India, especially in the state of Karnataka. Chigali is also referred to as Imli ki Goli^[2][3][4] in Northern India. Chigali has become popular in recent days when a company, Havenow Foodtech Pvt. Ltd., introduced it widely into the Indian FMCG market with a brand of "Chicley".^[5]

Chigali

Etymology

Chigali is word that originates from Kannada, the official language of state of Karnataka, India. In Kannada, it is written as ಚಿಗಳಿ.

Preparation and ingredients

The chief ingredient, tamarind, is combined with other ingredients (listed below) and pounded in a kutni (ಕುಟ್ನಿ in Kannada, mortar and pestle in English) or in an oralukallu, which gives the mixture an even consistency. This mixture is then rolled between the palms of the hand to make small round balls. Next, if preferred, these balls can be stuck on sticks, toothpicks, straws, or spoon handles.^[6][7] In supermarkets and malls, chigali can be found wrapped in thin transparent covers as chigali candies.^[7]

Chigali ingredients for pounding in 'Kutni'

Ingredients may include any combination of:

1. Tamarind
2. Jaggery
3. Sugar
4. Salt
5. Chili powder
6. Lemon leaves
7. Asafoetida
8. Cumin seeds
9. Ghee or any vegetable oil
10. Garlic^[8]
11. Pepper^[9]

Others with similar names

• Chigali Unde/Undi ^[10][11][12] - A sweet dish also called Yellunde in Karnataka made with Ellu (black sesame seeds) and jaggery.
• Chigali - Place names
  • A village (Chigali/Chigalli) 6 km away from Mundgod, in Belagavi Taluk, Karnataka, India.
  • A place^[13] under Kurnool city in Andhra Pradesh India
  • A place^[14] in the region of Southern, Zambia, Africa.
• Chigali - Iruve-chatni, a cuisine of Banakal, Karnataka, India

See also

• Household stone implements in Karnataka for details of Oralukallu and Kutni