Every year my friend supplies me this Vadavam or Vadagam or Thalippu Vadagam which are balls made of onion and garlic and dals. These are used while seasoning greens or used in Vathakozhambus and Karakozhambus. Though a vareity of brands are available in the market, it is always good to make them at home and store it. This method is taught to me by my friend's MIL, who makes this and stores it for about an year. Though this is mainly used in Chettinadu cooking, now a days it is used widely by every one. 

Ingredients:
Small Onions (Shallots) - 2 kgs
Garlic - 1/2 kg
Fenugreek seeds - 100gms
Urad dal - 1/4 kg
Crystal salt - 2 handful
Turmeric powder - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 100gms
Thuvar Dal - 1/2 cup
Bengal Dal - 1/2 cup
Curry Leaves - 1 cup
Cumin seeds - 1/2 cup
Oil (either Castor Oil or Gingely Oil) - 1 cup

Method:
Finely chop the onions and garlic to fine pieces. Coarsely grind all the dals coarsely in a mixer (Though it tastes authentic when pounded in a Ural).  Mix dals,chopped onions and garlic together and dry in sun for about 3 days. Grease your palm with oil and make lemon sized balls from the mixture and dry them again in the sun for about 2 weeks or till the balls become harder.

This can be stored for about an year. When it is need to be used, break small piece from it and add it to Vathal kuzhambus, keerai masiyals etc. This will give a definitely different taste from the normal ones.