Golbheda ko Achar (Nepali Roasted Tomato Chutney)
Local name: गोलभेडाको अचार
In short: Smoky roasted tomatoes, chilies and garlic mashed with toasted sesame, cumin and coriander into the classic dipping sauce for momo. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 42 kcal
Golbheda ko achar is the tomato chutney that comes with almost every plate of momo in Nepal. Tomatoes, chilies and garlic are roasted until blistered, then mashed with toasted sesame seeds, cumin and fresh coriander and finished with lime. The roasting gives a smoky sweetness, and the sesame adds body and a nutty note. It is also good with rice, fried snacks, sel roti and grilled meat.
Instructions
- Heat the oven grill (broiler) to high. Place the tomatoes, garlic and chilies on a baking tray lined with foil.
- Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until the tomato skins are blistered and blackened in spots and the garlic is soft. The chilies may be ready sooner, so remove them first.
- Toast the cumin seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds until fragrant, then toast the sesame seeds for 1 minute until pale gold.
- Peel the garlic. Pull the skins off the tomatoes if they come away easily, and remove the stems from the chilies.
- Grind the cumin, sesame, salt and timur to a rough powder in a mortar. Add the garlic and chilies and pound to a paste, then add the tomatoes and crush to a chunky sauce. A blender on pulse works too.
- Stir in the coriander and lime juice, taste for salt and heat, and serve at room temperature.
Tips
- No broiler? Roast the tomatoes, garlic and chilies in a dry cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, or char them over a gas flame, turning often.
- For a smoother dipping sauce for momo, blend it fully. For a chunky chutney to eat with rice, crush it by hand.
Questions and answers
How long does tomato achar keep?
It keeps 5 days in a clean jar in the fridge. You can freeze it for up to 2 months, though the texture will be softer after thawing.
What is timur?
Timur is a Himalayan pepper related to Sichuan pepper, with a citrusy aroma and a light tingle. Sichuan peppercorns are a good substitute, used in a smaller amount.
Can I make the chutney milder?
Yes. Remove the seeds from the chilies or use fewer of them, or roast a sweet pepper along with the tomatoes to soften the heat.
How long does it take to make Golbheda ko Achar (Nepali Roasted Tomato Chutney)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Golbheda ko Achar (Nepali Roasted Tomato Chutney)?
About 42 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 42 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
