With a bountiful harvest of cucumbers from our garden, I wanted to treat my husband (the gardener) with this traditional Goan sweet. Cucumber in konkani is called "taushe" with the cake referred to as "tavsali". The batter for the cake consists of grated cucumbers, rice or semolina (rava), coconut, jaggery, cashewnuts and cardamom powder. An easy dessert or tea-time snack that can be baked or steamed.
When using rice for the batter, it is washed, dried and then ground to a coarse semolina like texture. Alternatively, the rice can be soaked for few hours and ground fine. Instead of rice, I have used semolina and the cake was ready within an hour. The batter was set aside to rest for 30 minutes allowing the semolina to soften and absorb the moisture from the grated cucumbers. This cake is usually dense so I added eno fruit salt before steaming, resulting in a soft, airy cake. For an aromatic flavour, a piece of turmeric leaf can be incorporated into the batter. The cake was light, perfectly sweetened with a delicate cucumber taste.
Cucumber is low in calories, loaded with minerals and vitamins. With 95 percent water, it keeps the body hydrated, good for the hair and skin. Aids in digestion and weight loss. Also, controls blood sugar and cholesterol. Relieves gout, arthritis and joint pain. Presence of potassium regulates blood pressure. A superfood packed with nutritional and healthy benefits.
When using rice for the batter, it is washed, dried and then ground to a coarse semolina like texture. Alternatively, the rice can be soaked for few hours and ground fine. Instead of rice, I have used semolina and the cake was ready within an hour. The batter was set aside to rest for 30 minutes allowing the semolina to soften and absorb the moisture from the grated cucumbers. This cake is usually dense so I added eno fruit salt before steaming, resulting in a soft, airy cake. For an aromatic flavour, a piece of turmeric leaf can be incorporated into the batter. The cake was light, perfectly sweetened with a delicate cucumber taste.
Cucumber is low in calories, loaded with minerals and vitamins. With 95 percent water, it keeps the body hydrated, good for the hair and skin. Aids in digestion and weight loss. Also, controls blood sugar and cholesterol. Relieves gout, arthritis and joint pain. Presence of potassium regulates blood pressure. A superfood packed with nutritional and healthy benefits.
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Tavsali (Cucumber Cake)
(Yields 20 pieces)
Ingredients:
2 English cucumbers
1 cup semolina (rava)
1/4 cup sugarcane jaggery (grated)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 cup fresh grated coconut
8 to 10 cashewnuts (chopped)
1 teaspoon Eno fruit salt (which is one sachet)
a pinch of salt
oil for greasing
Method:
Peel cucumbers and grate. Reserve the grated cucumbers along with the liquid. Pick and discard any large seeds. Set aside. (Note: The grated cucumbers will be about 2 cups.)
Lightly roast semolina and transfer to a bowl. Mix in the grated cucumbers with the liquid, jaggery, coconut, cashewnuts and salt. With the heat from the roasted semolina, the jaggery will melt and sweeten the mixture.
Heat the steamer with water and lightly grease a 7.5” deep dish.
When the water in the steamer comes to a boil, add the Eno fruit salt to the batter. Stir lightly to avoid deflating the air bubbles. Spoon batter into the prepared dish and steam cake for 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Carefully remove the mould and place in a deep dish with cold water to cool.
Run a knife along the edge of the mould. The cake will come off easily. Cut into pieces and serve as a dessert or tea-time snack with a hot cup of tea.
Note:
(Yields 20 pieces)
Ingredients:
2 English cucumbers
1 cup semolina (rava)
1/4 cup sugarcane jaggery (grated)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 cup fresh grated coconut
8 to 10 cashewnuts (chopped)
1 teaspoon Eno fruit salt (which is one sachet)
a pinch of salt
oil for greasing
Method:
Peel cucumbers and grate. Reserve the grated cucumbers along with the liquid. Pick and discard any large seeds. Set aside. (Note: The grated cucumbers will be about 2 cups.)
Lightly roast semolina and transfer to a bowl. Mix in the grated cucumbers with the liquid, jaggery, coconut, cashewnuts and salt. With the heat from the roasted semolina, the jaggery will melt and sweeten the mixture.
Heat the steamer with water and lightly grease a 7.5” deep dish.
When the water in the steamer comes to a boil, add the Eno fruit salt to the batter. Stir lightly to avoid deflating the air bubbles. Spoon batter into the prepared dish and steam cake for 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Carefully remove the mould and place in a deep dish with cold water to cool.
Run a knife along the edge of the mould. The cake will come off easily. Cut into pieces and serve as a dessert or tea-time snack with a hot cup of tea.
Note:
- Addition of Eno fruit salt is optional.
See More Goan Steamed Cakes
