Tomato Price Hike: 5 ingredients you can replace tomatoes with

With the sudden price hike of tomatoes in the capital, it is getting difficult for people to have this staple in their daily meals. As per reports, tomatoes are available at Rs 100 per kg in the local market and it is said that the rains and floods in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are pushing up the prices of tomatoes. Well, whatever be the reason, the unique umami taste of tomato is irreplaceable. Here we have got 5 inexpensive alternatives that you can use at home.

It's tangy and sweet as tomatoes and is inexpensive too. All you need to do is just add a teaspoon or tablespoon of it to your curry and you are good to go.

Another ingredient you can use in place of tomatoes is tamarind pulp. It is easy to use, and all you need to do is, soak some tamarind for 15-20 minutes, extract the pulp and remove the seeds. Strain it with some water and add to your curries. Tamarind also helps in the thickening of curry, so check the consistency of your dish before serving.

With the arrival of winter season, you can also use fresh amla in place of tomatoes, but it is a bit sour too, so be careful with the quantity while adding it to curry. It is suggested to soak it in water along with sugar, and then blend it before adding to any curry.

You may add bottle gourd in place of tomatoes for a similar texture. While it has no relevance with the taste, you will have to add any other tangy agent, either raw mango powder or tamarind to get the right tanginess.

In place of tomatoes, you may also add plain yogurt. The acidic flavour of yogurt blends well with spices and gives you a similar taste. To make it perfect in taste, prefer to add 2-3 days old curd, which has a little sourness in its aftertaste.

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