Gotu kola is a fresh and fantastic Sri Lankan sambol. I’ve tweaked this traditional sambol recipe to bulk it up to make an equally delicious salad. Have it on its own, or combine it with your favourite curries. It’s a win-win Sri Lankan dish. I love this alongside a pineapple curry.
What is gotu kola?
Gotu kola is a herb, a member of the parsley family found in Asia. It is thought to have many known health benefits from lowering blood pressure to increasing the production of collagen. Gotu kola has been known to be used to heal burns and treat stretch marks.
You may find gotu kola dried, ground and packaged into capsules.
Gotu kola is also known as pennywort. It is a well-known ingredient in Sri Lankan cooking, mainly for making gotu kola sambol.
Sambols add texture and flavour to your meal
A sambol is a common condiment in Sri Lankan cooking. Gotu kola can be served alongside a selection of Sri Lankan curries curries.
Sambols are made with vegetables or meat and add texture and flavour to your meal.
You eat a sambol with a selection of curries and rice or simply alongside a roti or a Partha.
Where do you buy it
You can find gotu kola in Sri Lankan grocery stores.
If you are in the Tooting area, I go to Sharons, 311-313 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9JQ to get my gotu kola.
I appreciate you may not live near or be visiting Tooting.
Thankfully, you can order gotu kola online.
What’s a good substitute?
Parsley is a good alternative for gotu kola.
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How to make a Sri Lankan gotu kola sambol
Description
Gotu kola is a fresh and fantastic Sri Lankan sambol. I’ve tweaked this traditional sambol recipe to bulk it up to make an equally delicious salad. Have it on its own, or combine it with your favourite curries. It’s a win-win Sri Lankan dish.
Ingredients
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One large bunch of gotu kola (or parsley, spinach and or rocket)
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1 red onion finely chopped
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8 cherry tomatoes roughly chopped
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1 green chilli finely sliced
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2 tablespoons of fresh grated coconut or desiccated coconut (unsweetened)
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Juice of one lime
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Salt
Instructions
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Wash your gotu kola and pat dry. Finely chop the leaves and partway down the stems, you can discard the rest. Put this into a large mixing bowl.
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Add the finely chopped red onion, the roughly chopped cherry tomatoes and the green chilli.
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Sprinkle over the coconut and using your hands mix all the ingredients.
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Add the lime juice and salt, mix again, and let the sambol rest, then serve alongside your favourite curries.