Paratha is a staple Indian dish that is cherished as a breakfast food. It can be stuffed or plain, and is usually consumed with curd, butter, and pickle. It’s crispy, hot, and flaky texture makes it a go-to dish during winters. Most commonly, potatoes are used to stuff parathas. However, seasonal green vegetables could also be incorporated to make the paranthas both healthy and tasty!
Green veggies are highly nutritious food sources that improve overall health. These vegetables are a rich source of iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants that boost energy levels and improve immunity.
Even Mira Rajput Kapoor, who is now a popular social media influencer and a fitness enthusiast, is excited about the green veggies season. In an Instagram story, she shared, “Can’t wait for the winter greens… Bring on the parathas!”
So, ready to add these green veggies to your paratha?
Here are 5 winter greens you can add to your paratha stuffing
1. Palak (spinach)
It is low on calories and high on nutrition, and contains iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Besides boosting overall health by decreasing inflammation, and increasing immunity levels, spinach is also low on the glycemic index. So, even diabetic patients can consider it as a stuffing option if a paratha craving becomes too hard to resist. According to Deepti Khatuja, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, “Consuming spinach will provide you with iron and vitamin C, which helps to absorb iron. In addition, it is an excellent source of fibre.”
2. Bathua (chenopodium album)
This leafy green veggie makes for the perfect stuffing as it is low on calories, and contains vitamin A, protein, calcium, iron, and fiber. This nutritional profile helps provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, aid digestion, and relieve body pain considering it’s a natural analgesic.
3. Methi (fenugreek)
Methi is a versatile vegetable that provides nutrients such as fiber, iron, calcium, copper, and potassium. This veggie helps reduce cholesterol levels, aid digestion, and regulate blood sugar levels. “Raw methi has a low glycemic index. This helps in maintaining blood sugar level. Plus, it is also low in calories,” said Dr Aditi Sharma, dietitian at Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad.
4. Bandh-gobi (cabbage)
Low in calories and packed with vital nutrients, cabbage can be used to make delicious parathas. It provides a number of health benefits – from managing weight, aiding digestion, to reducing blood pressure. It is also low on calories, and it is an excellent source of potassium, which is an important mineral and electrolyte that promotes bodily functions, including blood pressure levels.
5. Hari-phool gobi (broccoli)
A power food, as it is often cited as, broccoli packs a solid nutritional punch in the form of fibre, protein, iron, potassium, calcium, selenium, magnesium, as well as the vitamins A, B, C, E and K. therefore, be it building muscles or strengthening bones, it is the undisputed wholesome goodness champion.
So, ladies, try these 5 nutritious winter greens as paratha stuffing, and also treat your taste buds!