Last Updated:May 02, 2025, 10:50 IST

If children are reluctant to eat vegetables, making cucumber idli is one of the best ways to incorporate green vegetables into their diet

Give your favourite south Indian Snack a unique twist with Cucumber Rava Idli. (News18 Kannada)

Incorporating raw vegetables and fresh fruits into our daily lives is beneficial for our health and supports weight loss and weight management efforts. Snacks made with vegetables help fulfil our daily fibre requirements, curb overeating, and control overall calorie intake. If children are reluctant to eat vegetables, making cucumber idli is one of the best ways to incorporate green vegetables into their diet. It is easy to make and eliminates the need for soaking rava or rice. Here’s how you can cook this delicious snack at home:

Ingredients

• 1 cup medium rava (semolina)
• 1 cup finely grated medium-sized cucumber
• ½ cup grated coconut
• 1-2 green chillies
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• Banana leaves

Recipe

1. Roast the semolina in a pan until it releases a fragrance. Transfer it to a bowl and allow it to cool.
2. In a mixer jar, add grated coconut, green chillies, and cumin seeds. Add a little water and grind into a fine paste.
3. Chop off both ends of the cucumber and finely grate or chop it. If the cucumber has too many seeds, remove them.
4. Add the grated cucumber and coconut paste to the roasted semolina. Add salt and mix well. Add about ½ cup of water to form a soft dough.
5. Cut banana leaves into small squares. Take a small portion of the dough, place it on a banana leaf, and spread it evenly. Fold the leaf gently and place it in idli steamer.
6. Repeat the process with the remaining batter. Steam for 10–15 minutes. Serve hot with spicy coconut chutney.

Points To Note

• Ensure the rava is roasted well. Under-roasted rava may cause the idli to stick and not form properly.
• If the cucumber is large and seedy, remove the seeds before grating or chopping.
• If banana leaves are unavailable, use regular idli moulds or trays in the steamer.

First Published: