Gotu kola(pennywort)sambol.
A green salad with chopped Gotu kola and freshly scraped coconut gives you one of the healthiest salads in Sri Lankan cuisine.
Gotu kola is also known as Pennywort and can be added to any curry menu.

This simple green salad idea is a vegetarian, vegan dish you can mix with your rice and curries to give you an instant wholesome meal.
Adding the simple green salad at least once or twice a week will help you reap all the health benefits of this herb.

How I like to eat my Gotu kola sambol.

If you are not a vegetarian or vegan, you can simply add a large spoonful of hot rice, loads of this green leafy sambol, and drizzle a spoonful of good ghee, mix and eat.
I usually do this while cooking lunch, and that will keep me full for a few hours.
You can add a piece of dry fish or sprats, but really, who needs it if you have a bowl of green goddess goodness.
If you do follow a strict plant-based diet, add olive oil, avocado oil or any light plant-based oil with extra lime, and you have a healthy, filling lunch bowl.

Tips & questions for gotu kola sambola.

• Tips.
  • Choosing and buying Gotu kola(pennywort).
    • When buying Gotu kola bundles.
      • Make sure to check that the leaves are freshly picked and are clear of dark spots.
    • When buying prepackaged Gotu kola.
      • Make sure to check the expiry date and packing day, and the state of the leaves; if they have even a slight tinge of brown, do not buy.
      • On rainy days, avoid buying any type of leafy vegetables that are grown close to water; for that matter, avoid any type of green leaves that can be turned into raw salads on such days. 

Substitute for Pennywort.
The closest substitutes would be kale and flat-leaf parsley.

What you will need in the kitchen.

Chopping board/knife.
A large bowl or plate to mix the ingredients.
Platter and spoon to serve.

More salads to try.

Spinach and coconut salad.
Parsley salad with coconut.
Sri Lankan spicy egg salad.
Eggplant salad(Sri Lankan brinjal salad).
Bitter gourd fried salad.

recipe difficulty-easy

Ingredients to make gotu kola salad

The ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.

• A bundle or a pack of Gotu kola(Pennywort).
• Freshly scraped coconut.
• Tomato chopped fine.
• Green chillies chopped.
• Red shallots sliced fine(use regular onions if you can’t find shallots).
• Salt to season.
• lime juice.

Gotu kola(pennywort salad)sambol.

If you are using fresh bundles of Gotu kola. Remove the leaves with the soft stems included.
Wash and drain the leaves completely in a colander or large strainer.
Once drained, chop the leaves thin and fine.
If you are using pre-packed and chopped leaves, follow the next step in the recipe instructions.
Place the leaves in a large bowl, add the fresh scraped coconut, chopped green chillies, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, salt to season and finally the lime juice as required.
Combine all ingredients well for a few minutes.
Taste, and season with salt if necessary.

JOIN ME ON ISLANDSMILE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

With you in mind, each recipe on this blog has been written with great care and love to the best of my ability.
It’s free and on the blog, so you can try it anytime.
Please do not save it on apps, recipe boxes, or online groups, as this will affect my growth as a food blogger.
I would appreciate your sharing the link rather than the full recipe.
All images and text on this website are protected by copyright.