I love it when Trader Joe’s introduces a product I’ve never heard of. Even if it doesn’t become one of my favorite foods, I’ve tried a new food and often learned something.
Trader Joe’s describes Uttapam as South Indian pizza without the cheese or tomato. The bread is made from rice and lentils and is gluten free. The toppings are onion, cilantro and green pepper.
Interesting that there are no baking instructions for this “pizza”. The options are to warm it in a pan for a crisp crust or microwave it for a softer crust. Both work fine, but the pan version results in a better texture. The bread is a bit spongy when microwaved.
The flavor is dominated by the onions in the topping, but there’s also a distinct sour taste that I thought was lime. However, the only ingredient I found on the label that explains the taste is citric acid.
If this Uttapam came with the yummy tamarind chutney that accompanies the Vegetable Pakoras I might be willing to buy this again. Instead it comes with coconut chutney which is one of the worst things I’ve ever tasted. Pasty texture and a flavor that seems more appropriate for a hair conditioner or sunscreen than food.
When you want a tasty Indian bread, skip the Uttapam and go for the Garlic Naan.
Location: frozen food case
Quantity: 12 oz box, 4 pieces
Calories: 160 calories per serving (1 piece), 55 fat calories per serving
Cost: $2.49
Kudos for trying it out! The sour taste comes from fermented batter used to make uttapam. It is traditionally eaten with spiced coconut chutney and lentil soup.