Simple Zucchini Raita (Vegetable Salad With Yogurt)

This is a simple but delicious raita without onions. It goes together quickly for daily meals. I like making this raita to augment an otherwise simple meal. Use as little salt as possible; raitas in general taste better with less salt.

Ingredients:

2 medium Zucchinis, grated coarsely
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped (Optional)
2 cups thick fresh Yogurt
1/2 cup Sour Cream (no-fat or low fat is fine)
1/4 tsp Salt or to taste

Tadka/Thalippu:

1 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp brown mustard seeds
1 pinch Asafoetida (OPtional)
1 Tbsp Urad dal (split, skinless)
1 or 2 green chili, finely chopped
1 sprig fresh Curry Leaves

Method:

Mix grated zucchinis, salt and cilantro in a bowl.

Make the tadka: heat the oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds and urad dal. As soon as the dal turns pinkish, add asafoetida and green chili and curry leaves. Cook for one minute and pour over the vegetables.

Combine the yogurt and the sour cream and mix well with the vegetables; use right away or chill until ready to serve. Serve with Indian flat breads such as chapatis, naan, or paratha, Pulav or other rice dishes, dal, curries like chole pindi, etc.