MyMusingsSangSpeak - Pet Puja - Mirchi cha Thecha

Mirchi cha Thecha (Crushed Chilli)

Mirchi cha Thecha is one essential Maharashtrian side dish, widely popular amongst Maharahtrians as well as Non-Maharashtrians. Thecha is a Marathi word meaning crush. The chilli which originated in Mexico, made a permanent home here in India and is an extensively used condiment. The staple agrarian diet in Maharashtra would be the humble combination of Jowar Bhakri, Pithala and Thecha along with onion.

Thecha can be prepared in a variety of ways, the most basic being green chillies fried and just crushed with salt and few garlic pods. Some people may add lime juice to it. Thecha is mostly eaten with uncooked oil. Some like to combine it with curds. Thecha can be made more flavourful with addition of groundnuts, dry coconut etc. My mother loved all kinds of Thecha, but the one with groundnuts and dry coconut was her favourite and, here, I am sharing this recipe.

Ingredients

Green Chillies – 4-5 nos

Oil – 1 teaspoon

Roasted groundnuts – ½ cup

Dry grated coconut – ½

Garlic – 9-10 cloves

Salt – As per taste

Method

Heat oil in a pan and fry the green chillies till they are just about done. Mix all the ingredients and grind coarsely in a mixer. Earlier, this used to be done manually in a pounder. Mirchi cha Thecha is ready for serving.