Pol Sambol (Sri Lankan Coconut Sambol)
Local name: පොල් සම්බෝල
In short: A fiery, tangy relish of fresh grated coconut, chili, shallot and lime, worked by hand until the coconut turns pink. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Pol sambol is on nearly every Sri Lankan table, spooned next to rice and curry, hoppers, string hoppers and milk rice. Fresh grated coconut is crushed with chili, onion and salt, then brightened with lime juice. It is not a sauce so much as a dry, crumbly relish, and it should be eaten the day it is made. Traditional cooks pound it on a stone, but a mortar or a blender gives a good result.
Instructions
- Grind the chili flakes, salt, shallots and Maldive fish flakes in a mortar into a coarse red paste, or pulse briefly in a blender.
- Add the grated coconut and work it into the paste with your fingertips for 2 to 3 minutes, until the coconut is evenly pink and slightly moist.
- Stir in the lime juice and curry leaves if you are using them. Taste and adjust the salt, chili and sourness.
- Serve within a few hours, at room temperature, next to rice, hoppers or milk rice.
Tips
- No fresh coconut? Soak 150 g (1 3/4 cups) unsweetened desiccated coconut in 4 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes, then use as above.
- For a milder sambol, replace half the chili flakes with sweet paprika. The color stays bright red.
Questions and answers
How long does pol sambol keep?
It is best the day you make it. It keeps up to 1 day in the fridge, but the coconut turns sour quickly in warm weather.
What do you eat pol sambol with?
Rice and curry, hoppers, string hoppers, milk rice, roti and bread. It also goes well on a plain sandwich.
Can I make pol sambol without Maldive fish?
Yes. Leave it out for a vegan version and add an extra pinch of salt. The flavor is a little less savory but still balanced.
How long does it take to make Pol Sambol (Sri Lankan Coconut Sambol)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pol Sambol (Sri Lankan Coconut Sambol)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
