| Kosambari | |
| Alternate Name: | Koshambari, Kosumalli |
| Country: | India |
| Region: | South India |
| Type: | Salad |
| Main Ingredient: | Cucumber, soaked Pulses, mustard seeds |
| Variations: | Kachumber |
Kosambari, Kosumalli or Koshambari is a typical South Indian salad made from pulses (split legumes), cucumber and seasoned with mustard seeds.[1] The pulses generally used are split green gram (hesaru bele in Kannada).[2] These salads are sometimes eaten as snacks, but usually as a part of full course meal. Its regional variation in northern India is known as kachumber.
Traditionally, kosambari is made of cucumber, mung bean, and coriander. Optionally, ash gournd, green mango, and carrots are also used in some recipes. Kosambari is tempered with sesame oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, lemon juice, salt and asafoetida for seasoning.[3] Kosambari is also made from split chickpea.[4] In Tamil Nadu, Kosumalli is made with Cucumber, Carrot or Banana Stem.
Kosambari is distributed during festivals and on special occasions.[5] It is distributed to masses during Ganesha Chaturthi and Sri Rama Navami. During Varamahalakshmi and Gowri festivals women invite each other and exchange kosambari along with turmeric and vermilion to celebrate divinity in the feminine.