- Lemon can be used to add sourness to vegetables
- Use raw mangoes as they are sweet and sour like tomatoes
- Tamarind paste and amla will also enhance the taste of food
Tomato prices skyrocket due to rains across the country. Tomatoes are being sold at Rs 100-150 per kg or more in many places. It is being speculated that tomatoes may remain expensive for the next few weeks. Tomato is one of the most consumed vegetables. Tomato is added to most food items. Tomatoes are used to enhance the taste of vegetables and make them sour. The tension of the people has increased as tomatoes become more expensive. You may be surprised to know that there are many things in the kitchen other than tomatoes that can be used to make vegetables sour and delicious. These items are cheaper than tomatoes. Let’s find out about cheap alternatives to tomatoes.
Lemon
Lemon can be used instead of tomato to add sourness to vegetables. You can double the taste of vegetables by adding lemon. Lemons are considered a cheaper alternative to tomatoes. Lemons are rich in many nutrients, including vitamin C, which are beneficial for health. Add some sugar to lemon juice, it will taste like tomatoes.
Raw mango
Raw mangoes are sweet and sour like tomatoes. This mango can make up for the lack of tomatoes. Raw mango is the best option to make the curry sour. Summer is the season of mangoes and you will easily find raw mangoes at cheap prices everywhere. If raw mango is not available then dry mango powder can also be used.
Tamarind
If there is no tomato while making the vegetable then tamarind paste can be added. Tamarind has a sweet-sour taste, which doubles its flavor when mixed with vegetables. Soak tamarind in water before using it. Then remove the seeds and separate them. Now you can prepare a paste by grinding its pulp. It gives a wonderful taste.
curd
You will be surprised to know that curd can be used as a substitute for tomatoes. Yogurt can be added to enhance the taste of any vegetable. It works to add thickness and sourness to the vegetable gravy and also enhances its taste. Adding curd makes the color of the vegetable more attractive. It is considered appropriate to use curd instead of tomatoes.
amla
Amla is extremely sour in taste, but is considered to be beneficial for health. Instead of tomato you can use some amla to add some sourness to the vegetables. Grind amla in a mixer to make a paste and use it in vegetables or other dishes. Amla is rich in nutrients.