Tamarind

Tamarind, also known as Indian date , the tamarind is the fruit of a tall shade tree native to Asia and northern Africa and widely grown in India.  In Spanish the term is tamarindo.

Whole tamarind pods are used for it's tangy, sour flavor in Mexico's Agua de Tamarindo and it's also used to flavor soups and stews. Additionally it is used in Asian and Indian cuisine. Available in whole pods or tamarind paste. (Nutrition information is for raw tamarind pulp)

If you don't have tamarinds pods you can substitute:

• To replace 2 large or 4 small pods, use 1/4 cup tamarind paste (concentrate).
• OR - Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of amchoor (amchur) / mango powder (replaces the acidity in the recipe.
• OR - Also, to replace acidity in your recipe use 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice.