Green, red and black, grapes in India and around the world can easily turn into your favourite fruits because you never need to peel or cut them to eat them. Soak and wash grapes and they are good to go! Of course, there are many creative people out there who also extend the use of grapes to salads and fruit chaats, turning the fruit into another variety of treats you can indulge in. But did you know that there are more ways to enjoy grapes than just raw or in the form of salads and chaats.
In India, most people tend to enjoy grapes as they are and you won’t easily come across recipes or cooked dishes that call for the use of grapes of any colour or variety. You might find this strange given that India, especially states like Maharashtra, produce huge amounts of grapes every year through two crops. But the fact is, there are indeed many ways in which grapes are creatively cooked and relished across India.
Some of these grapes recipes are European or Western in origin, like sorbet, tarts and cakes. Others, like grape pickles, chutneys, rabdi, etc are Indian-origin dishes. If you want to enjoy grapes this autumn in more forms than just salads and chaats, here are all the dishes you can try out.
Video Credit: YouTube/Chef Jana
Grape Pickle
Grapes, at least most varieties, are already sweet-and-sour in taste, making them perfect for pickles. You can make a simple grape pickle by mixing mustard, fenugreek, red chilli, salt and vinegar with the grapes and storing them in a sealed jar for a couple of days. Sweet, sour and spicy, this grape pickle is a must-have this autumn.
Angoor Ki Chatni
Predominantly made with red or black grapes because their skin has a beautiful colour that permeates everything when cooked, Angoor Ki Chatni is a delicious and fruity dish. All you need to do is cook whole grapes with cumin seeds, red chilli powder, vinegar, sugar and a bit of water. From turning humble sandwiches into delicacies to making for great paratha sides, this one is not to be missed.
Grape Sorbet
A light and frozen dessefrt, grape sorbet is a must-have this autumn especially as a palate-cleanser. Just combine black or red grapes with sugar and lemon juice, and turn it into a puree. Churn the puree in an ice cream maker and you will get a smooth and delicious sorbet that you can pair with light cakes or enjoy as they are.
Angoori Rabdi
Sweet, rich and creamy, this Indian dessert is packed with grapes and tastes simply divine. All you need to do is cook milk, sugar and cardamom powder separately until it is thickened and reduced by half. Then, add grapes at the very end and simmer to finish the dish. You can also add some saffron to the dish to make it more delicious.
Khatti Meethi Angoor Ki Sabji
Made very rarely across India, this sweet-and-sour dish combines the flavours of grapes with a spicy gravy. Tomatoes, ginger, cumin, coriander and other spices are used to cook the gravy, though onions and garlic are rarely or never added. The grapes are added in whole and allowed to cook until soft and mushy. The dish is enjoyed with fresh roti or pulao.
Grape Cake
Italian in its origin, grape cake is usually made with black or red grapes and have a marbling effect as the skin of the fruit infuses with the cake batter. A simple flour, egg, sugar, milk, butter and baking powder batter is first made—and this is often infused with vanilla essence or lemon zest. The grapes are then pushed into the batter and the cake is then baked to perfection. This one is a warm, comfort food indeed.
Grape Tart
A delicious pastry dish that can be enjoyed with tea during autumn season, grape tart can be easily made at home. All you need to do is make a simple, flaky shortcrust pastry and a custard base. Line a tart dish with the pastry, blind bake it, fill it up with the custard and top with a colourful blend of red, green and black grapes. You can then bake the tart again and serve it warm whenever you want to.