My favorite cousin, Deepa, is married to a Gujarati. Growing up in the melting pot of Bombay, I was no stranger to the culture of this colorful state because of the many Gujarati neighbors and friends I had. But having a Gujarati in the family gave me a chance to get even more closely acquainted with the land and its delicious cuisine.
Rajubhai, Deepa's husband, was an engineer who was posted around different parts of Gujarat over the years, and as a teen I'd look forward to the holidays I enjoyed at their home. During those trips, which included nearly a dozen members of our extended family, we'd sometimes travel around the state: to the buzzing city of Surat, the quiet tranquility of the salt-making colony of Mithapur, and the piously alive Dwarka.
Under an impossibly clear sky in Somnath, my cousins and I, used to the smoggy skies of Bombay city, would try delightedly to identify the constellations.
Today, when I cook Gujarati food in my kitchen, I always think back to those long-ago days, gone but not forgotten.
This past week, I had a deep craving for Oondhiyu, perhaps my most favorite of all Gujarati foods. This wonderful mixed-veggie dish has an unbelievably unique flavor, thanks to ajwain seeds. To those unfamiliar with Indian foods, ajwain, also called carom seeds, are very similar to thyme in fragrance. Although the seeds look a lot like cumin, the flavor is sharply unusual and almost unbelievably appetizing. So much so that each time I cook Oondhiyu, I tend to snack on it all day straight from the pot until it's gone!
A quick note: I used kasoori methi (the dried version of methi leaves) for the dumplings because I couldn't find fresh methi at my local Indian store. But try and use fresh methi if you can because the taste difference is unbelievable.
So here is my recipe for this really special dish. I hope you enjoy its rustic deliciousness as much as I do!
More delicious Indian recipes
Oondhiyu Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup surti papdi, stringed but whole (these stringed broad beans are available at most Indian stores. While I prefer the fresh version, you can substitute with frozen with good results)
- 1 plantain, chopped into ยฝ-inch chunks
- 1 large or 2 small potatoes, chopped into ยฝ-inch chunks
- 1 sweet potato, chopped into ยฝ-inch chunks
- ยฝ a large eggplant or 6 small ones, cut into ยฝ-inch chunks
- A pinch of asafetida
- ยฝ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ajwain
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
For methi dumplings:
- 1 cup methi leaves or ยผ cup kasoori methi, chopped fine
- ยฝ cup besan flour
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ยฝ teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep-frying
Grind into a paste:
- 2-3 green chilies
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves, chopped
Method:
- Coat all the vegetables with the masala paste and marinate for at least half an hour.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a deep saucepan and add the ajwain seeds and asafetida. After a few seconds, add the vegetables and stir thoroughly to coat with oil.
- Add turmeric.
- Cover the vegetables and let them cook until tender, stirring a few times if necessary. Add some water to help them along.
- When the veggies are tender, add the methi dumplings, sugar and salt to taste.
- Sprinkle lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.
- Serve piping hot with puris or rotis.
Sagari
this looks sooo yummyy vaishali
ChocolateCoveredVegan
I absolutely adore Indian food, but except for saag, dahl, and channa masala, I've never made any other dishes myself! I'm going to have to start practicing.
Vaishali
Srivalli, Lavanya- thanks!
Evolvingtastes, You're right- I have seen versions with coconut, and they taste really great. I will try that too the next time!
Mansi, it sure is one tasty dish!
Mansi Desai
oondhiyu served in Surat-Gujarat is so famous people drool over it! especially the traditional one that's baked in earthen pots! Yumm!!:)
evolvingtastes
Looks great, Vaishali.
I would love to make oondhiyu more often, but it is definitely an occasional weekend thing, not for everyday dinners. One of my aunts makes the best ever oondhiyu I have eaten, and hers has lots of coconut in it, perhaps it is a variation from coastal Gujarat.
Lavanya Raj
those dumplings are tempting me really....
Srivalli
ohh...that looks yummy...have never tried this...was so tempted but couldn't ...I will surely try it sometime..thanks for your version.
Vaishali
Uma- thanks. The spice comes from the chili powder in the dumplings and the green chilies in the masala paste to marinate the veggies. But there are also some sweet, sour and bitter flavors from the sugar, lemon and methi that make this dish very complex and flavorful.
Sia, Mandira: Thanks. I hope you do try it- believe me, you'll love it.
Happy Cook, thanks very much!
Happy cook
DELICIOUS.
I have never had this dish, but from the picture and the indridients list i can imagine how delicious it was. yummm
Mandira
this looks delicious vaishali, I had it a few times when friends made it, but never tried making it myself. It's time to give it a try using your recipe ๐
Sia
i have not tried it yet vaishali. yes, u read it right. i wanted to taste it before trying so that i compare the taste and know what i made is proper oondhiyu. but ur pics has tempted me to give it a try soon:)
Uma
Wow, Oondhiyu! Looks really so delicous Vaishali! I am definitely going to try this. Is it sweet in taste 'cause I don't see any spicy ingredients in this.