How to make Panakam
In a large vessel or bowl, take 4- 5 tbsp of crushed or grated jaggery. This will vary depending on the sweetness of your jaggery. Stir in 3-4 cups of drinking water until completely dissolved. Filter through a muslin cloth or a fine mesh in case you see any impurities in the liquid.
To this, add - dried ginger powder (sonth powder), black pepper powder, salt, Juice of lemon, seeds from cardamom pods shelled and pounded or cardamom powder, stir well and serve chilled.
For Cucumber Kosumalli
Wash and soak 1/2 cup yellow moong dal (husked and split moong) in 2-3 cups of water for 1 hour. Drain in a mesh strainer for 15 minutes or so.
In a medium bowl, mix the chopped cucumber, lemon juice, salt, coriander leaves and toss well.
In a small tempering ladle, heat 1 tsp ghee or oil - splutter the mustard seeds, add the asafoetida, stir for a few seconds and toss this on the kosumall.i
Garnish with fresh coconut scrapings.
Do check for bitterness in the cucumber before mixing with the other ingredients.
The same recipe can be used to prepare Carrot kosumalli by substituting two grated carrots instead of chopped cucumber.