Punjab is known for its rich and flavourful food. The land, with its rich culinary heritage, has authentic recipes for all sorts of vegetables, fruits, and grains. When it comes to the summer season, the juicy and hydrating vegetables take the most space on everyone’s plates. But apart from eating the usual refreshing salads, you might look for some new and savoury options.
To break the monotonicity of your plate looking and tasting the same every day, you can always count on Punjabi recipes that are filled with flavours. So, if you are looking for indulgent summer recipes to add some spice to your meals, you’re at the right place. Here are some of the choicest Punjabi recipes that you can try.
Lauki Ke Kofte
Lauki, also known as gheeya or bottle gourd is a summer vegetable that has a high water content to keep your body hydrated. While lauki may be overlooked, the Punjabi recipe for lauki ke kofte will make you relish the vegetable like never before. To make it, you need to grate lauki and make a batter by mixing it with besan and your favourite spices. Then, you can take small portions of the mixture and deep fry to make kofte. Now, you can make a tomato and onion-based gravy and let the kofte simmer till they are soft. Finally, you can enjoy the sabzi with a roti or rice.
Kathal Sabzi
Kathal (jackfruit) is a summer fruit that gives vegetarians a meaty sabzi. To make Punjabi kathal sabzi, you can chop kathal into bite-sized pieces. Then, you can prepare the masala by mixing chopped onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic with a mix of spices. Once the masala is fragrant, you can add the kathal pieces and cook till they are tender. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves, and enjoy.
Baingan Ka Bharta
Baingan or eggplant is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that you must add to your summer diet. The Punjabi recipe for baingan ka bharta will truly make you a fan of the vegetable. To make baingan ka bharta, you can take an eggplant and roast it on the gas stove. You can then peel its skin, mash it, and set it aside. You can prepare the masala by adding mashed eggplant and cooking chopped onions, tomato puree, ginger garlic paste, and spices. Next, add in the roasted baingan, cook till it absorbs all the flavour, and serve with a roti.
Khatta Meetha Kaddu
Kaddu, or petha, or pumpkin, is another vegetable that is often used to make khatta meetha kaddu in Punjabi households. To make the slightly sweet and tangy dish, you can cut a pumpkin into small pieces. To make the tadka, you can add jeera in oil and let it splutter. Then, add in spices like turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. To give the sabzi a sweeter profile, you can add tamarind pulp and jaggery along with the cut kaddu and let it simmer. After garnishing with chopped cilantro, you can enjoy the sabzi with a freshly prepared roti.
Bhindi Fry
Bhindi, or okra, is a highly nutritious vegetable that can help you beat the summer heat. Apart from the health benefits, bhindi fry is extremely easy and quick to prepare. All you need to do is chop some onions and saute them with jeera, salt, turmeric powder, and red chilli powder. Then, you can add chopped bhindi and let it cook till the vegetable is tender. Within half an hour, you can enjoy the sabzi with a roti.
Arbi Masala
Arbi, also known as colocasia, is a root vegetable that is popularly made in Indian households in summer. The potato-like vegetable is too super easy to make. You can prepare a tadka by heating some oil and adding spices like jeera, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, salt, and chopped onions. Once fragrant, you can mix in arbi, which is sliced lengthwise. After the arbi is golden brown, you can garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it with roti.