Rose Apple Rice, also known as Chambakka Sadham, is a colourful, delicious, and highly nutritious rice dish that can be prepared quickly and easily. Chambakka, the key ingredient, is a bell-shaped fruit that comes in bright shades of pink, rose, and white. This fruit is known by various names such as Java apple, Jambakkai, Jambakka, Rose apple, Plum rose, and Malabar plum. It makes a fantastic lunch box recipe and pairs perfectly with crisp papad for a complete meal.
A Special Tree in Our Backyard
We are fortunate to have a Chambakka tree in our backyard, which we planted from a sapling gifted by a family friend. This friend crafts beautiful garlands from the fruit, highlighting its decorative potential. The tree blooms in the summer, producing fruits that transition from white to a vibrant red. Initially, we struggled to identify the fruit, but eventually, we learned it was Chambakka. The sight of the tree adorned with its striking red fruits is truly enchanting, and I’ve spent significant time photographing it to capture these priceless moments.
Health Benefits of Rose Apple
Rose Apple is not just a visually appealing fruit but also boasts a range of health benefits:
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Rich in Nutrients: Rose apples are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, boosting the immune system, and supporting overall health.
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Antioxidant Properties: The fruit is packed with antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
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Supports Digestion: Rose apples are high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation. Fiber also supports a healthy gut microbiome.
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Hydration: Due to their high water content, rose apples help keep the body hydrated and support overall fluid balance.
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Anti-inflammatory Effects: The fruit contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and potentially alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions.
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Low in Calories: Rose apples are low in calories and can be a great addition to a weight management plan, providing a satisfying, healthy snack option.
Incorporating Rose Apple into Meals
Incorporating Chambakka into dishes like Rose Apple Rice not only adds a unique flavor and vibrant color but also brings these health benefits into your meal. The fruit’s subtle sweetness pairs well with rice and spices, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious and enjoyable dish.
Other recipes I contributed for A to Z recipe challenge are as follows.
Please check this link to read more about Chambakka.
My mom had made poriyal / thoran / dry sabzi out of it. This popular and common dish is usually prepared to be eaten along with steamed rice. It is usually served as part of the sadya along with other dishes. We also make thogayal or chutney with this fruit.
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Rose Apple Rice / Chambakka Sadham
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
- Pan
Ingredients
- 4 nos Chambakkas/Water Apples
- 1/4 Coconut
- 1 Green chillies optional
For Seasoning
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp Channa dhal
- 1 tsp Urad dhal
- 1 no Red chilly
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- few Curry leaves
- As req Salt
Instructions
- Slice the fruits into two, deseed and remove the brown fibers. Then slice it lengthwise or chop it.
- There might be ants in some due to the sweetness of it. Wash it thoroughly to get rid of it.
- Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. When mustard seeds crackle, add channa dhal, urad dhal add whole red chilly cut in to half. Then and curry leaves and fry for a few seconds.
- Meanwhile, prepare the coconut mixture. Grate coconut and grind with green chilies if you like it spicy. I have not added green chillies in this recipe. Keep it aside.
- To the pan add the chopped chambakka, shredded coconut and sugar. Mix everything well and cook in medium heat for five minute, stirring occasionally.
- Cook in medium heat for five minute stirring occasionally. Make sure the fruit remains crunchy.
- Finally add the cooked rice, salt and gently mix it with other ingredients.
- Chambakka sadham Or Rose apple rice is ready.
Video
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice the fruits into two, deseed and remove the brown fibre. Then slice it lengthwise or chop it.
- There might be ants in some due to the sweetness of it. Wash it thoroughly to get rid of it.
- Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. When mustard seeds crackle, add channa dhal, urad dhal add whole red chilly cut in to half. Then and curry leaves and fry for a few seconds.
- Meanwhile, prepare the coconut mixture. Grate coconut and grind with green chilies if you like it spicy. I have not added green chillies in this recipe. Keep it aside.
- To the pan add the chopped chambakka, shredded coconut and sugar. Mix everything well and cook in medium heat for five minute, stirring occasionally.
- Cook in medium heat for five minute stirring occasionally. Make sure the fruit remains crunchy.
- Finally add the cooked rice, salt and gently mix it with other ingredients.
- Chambakka sadham or Rose apple rice is ready.
This recipe is a part of A to Z challenge, wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every month. This month alphabet is ‘R’, so my contribution for this month is Rose Apple Rice.
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Thank you !!
Nice to see those pink fleshy fruits in this rice dish, and I wish I could buy these fruits nearby.
Thank you Megala…
Rose apple is something new to me. Never seen or tasted it. Very innovative rice preparation with this fruit. I would love to try if I find some rose apples.
Thank you
One dish meals like this one can really make life easy on a busy or a lazy day. Great use of rose apples.
Thank you
Rose apples are a very new ingredient to me. I have never cooked with them. This rice sounds super delicious and inviting! 🙂 I’ll definitely try this out once I get my hands on some good rose apples.
Thank you Priya.
Rose apple is something totally new to me. Never seen or tasted it. This rice sounds so flavorful and must be so tasty. Lovely share!
Thank you Jolly. Do try when you get them.
We had a tree yeilding tons of rose apple back in Kerala. Aam used to make chuney and pickles. I am sending your recipe to her as she will love it.
Chambakka has a pretty English name for sure! I thought chambakka was for eating raw or like pickled, but love this interesting recipe in a rice dish. Very interesting…
Thank you Rafeeda.
Chambakka rice is quite a revelation and I love the recipe. With coconut in the rice along with chopped pieces of the fruit, the rice would taste amazing. The fruit is usually pickled and or eaten raw, I loved the rice element to it.
Thank you.
Rose Apple is new to me but am sure with the sweetness from that fruit and coconut, the rice must be really tasty. If I ever come across rose apple, I surely will remember your Chambakka Sadham.
Thank you ji 🙂
I have tasted rose apple during our stay in Malaysia. Never thought of making a rice dish with it. Can imagine how flavorful the dish must have been with spiced coconut and fruit chunks going in with rice.
Thank you Poonam.
Chambakka sadham seems so interesting for me niranjana !
The use of coconut here along with chopped pieces of this fruit must be tasted amazing.
Thank you Sasmita
Rose apple is something new to me. That’s why can’t imagine the taste But by reading your recipe i must say this rice recipe is very flavorful and yummy..
Thank you
Heard of rose apple but never really got a chance to try it in my kitchen. Rice dish with this fruit sounds yum and definitely a dish that wouldn’t fail to entice kids.
Thank you
[…] Rose Apple rice / Chambakka Sadham […]
Its New to me !
I will definitely try
Thank you