While you’re looking for ways to use up the spring bounty, side dishes can be a perfect way to display the freshness on the table. You might consider salads and roasts as the preferred choice among the fresh seasonal produce. Indian side dishes can bring a burst of flavour with new excitement.
Many can agree that side dishes are a crown jewel of Indian cuisine. Ranging from crispy to soft textures and savoury to salty flavours, there are hundreds of Indian side dishes that go above and beyond to fill your platter with wholesome excitement.
Here are some of the best Indian side dishes made with spring’s fresh produce that will be the star of your table.
7 Indian Side Dishes You Must Try This Spring
1) Beetroot Croquettes
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Beetroot croquettes are a popular item on menus across several restaurants in America. Too good to be true, this recipe tastes amazing with classic Indian spices and is extremely easy to make at home too. All you need to do is make a quick stir-fry of grated beetroot and spices, then shape it into a ball, coat it with slurry and breadcrumbs, and fry it golden.
2) Spring Greens Saag
Spinach, mustard greens, fenugreek, Colocasia, collard greens and several other leafy green vegetables can be made into a flavourful saag bursting with warming spices. You can combine these greens together to make them separately as you like.
3) Masala Crispy Okra
Crispy baked okra covered with crunchy breadcrumbs is a delightful way to use up okra this season. While traditional recipes include frying, you can switch it with no-oil cooking methods such as baking and air frying to make it healthier. Add spices of your choice and don't forget to include some garam masala.
4) Tomato Onion Salad
Tomato onion salad is a staple of many Indian households and is praised for its simplicity. Chopping onion and tomatoes and mixing them with some spices can effortlessly make this refreshing salad.
5) Bottle Gourd Dry Curry
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Bottle gourd is prepared in several ways in Indian cuisine, but its dry curry is a popular choice. This dry curry features tender pieces of bottle gourd sauteed with spices such as cumin, turmeric, and coriander. It is a perfect dish to pair with bread and rice.
6) Zucchini Bhajji
In the world of Indian bhajis, almost every vegetable can be used to batter and fry it golden, creating a tantalising starter for any meal. Zucchini can also be used to make a Spring-special bhaji for your platter.
7) Stuffed Capsicum
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Stuffed Capsicum, or bharwa shimla mirch, has been a mainstay in Punjabi and north Indian cuisine. It is a delicious dish in which bell peppers are filled with a mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes paneer. It can be served as a dry appetiser or cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy.
Make the best use of spring produce and create these spicy Indian side dishes to accompany your meals with warming flavours. Whether you're hosting a party or making something special this weekend, these recipes are a perfect way to bring a festive feel to the table.