Hello, we have Asam Sunti here..

Born in the northern tip of Sumatra island, im proudly tobe Acehnese,, one of ethnic groups in Indonesia.

This time i would like to share something about our local food, particularly a very special traditional herb we have called Asam Sunti. Asam Sunti is made of small starfruit. I have no idea what should i call for this fruit in English because it is not exactly the "star" starfruit. Trying to find in google, i found another term for it : Averrhoa Bilimbi. Okay, good start..(for me).

Acehnese people use Asam Sunti in many kind of traditional food in daily life such as Tumeh Keumamah (stirfried dried tuna) and Asam Keueng (sour spicy soup).. woof im drooling. It tastes so typical, food with asam sunti must be sour as it's made from fruit.

How is it made?

A very easy way is known by all Acehnese people, especially by women. Supposed we have a starfruit tree in our house, then making Asam Sunti must be one of activity of that family member. Pick the fruits from the tree, wash them, and dry under the sunshine. Once they're softly shriveled, we must smear them with salt then dry again. Salt smearing must be done for three or four times depends on the look of the starfruits after dried for 3 to 4 days. If they look like brown candy already, they are ready to be stored in a closed box. A very dry Asam Sunti can be stored until 1 year without putting them in fridge. A very salty taste prevents Asam Sunti from decomposition

Below is one simple recipe of traditional food using Asam Sunti, we call it Eungkot Tumeh (stirfried fish). All we need are :

1. Fish (commonly used Tuna) : 1/2 kg

2. Coriander powder (Acehnese: bubok Aweuh) : 1/2 teaspoon

3. Turmeric powder (Acehnese: bubok Kunyet) : 1 teaspoon 

4. Onion and Garlic : 3 and 1 medium size

5. Red Chili : 1/2 oz

6. Asam Sunti : 1/2 oz

7. Cooking Oil : 5 tablespoon

8. Salt and pepper : 2 and 1/2 teaspoon

9. Curry leaves (Acehnese: On Temurui)             : 4 sheet

How to cook ? Blend all items in no.2 to no.6, stirfry fish using cooking oil, then put salt & pepper and curry leaves. This is it, done. Acehnese traditional food, in simple way.

Well, that's an example of many traditional cullinary using Asam Sunti that Aceh has. Gotta have time someday to try it, to feel the spirit of Aceh.. the porch of Mecca. 

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https://www.facebook.com/notes/yunia-makmoer/hello-we-have-asam-sunti-here/10153792849760263