Sago Vegetable Uppuma (ஜவ்வரிசி காய்கறி உப்புமா)

Sago (ஜவ்வரிசி), also known as ‘tapioca pearls’ is a starch product extracted from the tapioca root. Sago, made of white pearls, is available in varying sizes.  The regular sago pearls available in the market are around 2mm in diameter. Traditionally sago is used to make payasam and wafers (வடாம்). However, you can make a sumptuous uppuma using sago, and this can be served for either breakfast or dinner. I prefer to make this uppuma with vegetables to make it more interesting as well as nutritious. Let’s see how to make sago vegetable uppuma.

Ingredients: (Serves two)

Sago (ஜவ்வரிசி)

Sago (ஜவ்வரிசி)  – 1 tumbler or 200ml measure

Onion, finely chopped – 1 no

Vegetables – cut into small pieces 1 teacup or 200ml measure*

Green chillies, finely chopped – 2 no

Ginger – ½ inch piece, grated

Split urad dhal – 1 teaspoon

Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Ground nuts – 2 tablespoons

Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon

Oil – 2 tablespoons

Curry leaves – a few

*Carrot, beans and green peas may be used. Shell the green peas. Cut other vegetables into small pieces.

Method: Wash sago well in water 2-3 times, drain and then soak in 2 tumblers (400ml) of water for 1-2 hours. Regular sago available in the market gets soaked well in 1-2 hours. However, if you are using sago with larger pearls, you may have to soak it for longer duration. Once soaked well, you will be able to crush the sago pearl easily. At this stage, drain it fully through a strainer and keep it in the freezer compartment for 20-30 minutes.

Sago Vegetable Uppuma (ஜவ்வரிசி காய்கறி உப்புமா)

You can use the readily available roasted peanuts; alternatively roast the peanuts in a kadai on high flame for 2-3 minutes. Allow the nuts to cool and then remove the skin. Keep aside.

Heat oil in the kadai, add mustard seeds and when they start to sputter, add split urad dhal. Fry till the dhal turns light brown. Add the nuts and sauté for 30 seconds. Now, add chopped onion, green chillies and ginger. Sauté till the onions turn transparent. Then add the cut vegetables, turmeric powder and required salt. Mix well and sauté for a minute. Cover and cook on low flame till the vegetables are cooked.

Remove the soaked sago from the refrigerator, add required salt and mix well. Add sago to the vegetable mixture and blend well. Cover and cook on low flame till the pearls turn semitransparent. Switch off the stove. Garnish with curry leaves. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

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