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Labra (mixed vegetable bhog)

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

A mixed vegetable dish of pumpkin, potato, radish, brinjal and greens cooked with panch phoron, offered as bhog at Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja.

Region: West BengalOccasion: Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja bhogTime: 45 minServes: 6Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red pumpkin, cubed
  • 1 potato, 1 sweet potato and 1 small radish, cubed
  • 1 small brinjal, cubed
  • A handful of broad beans and some spinach or other greens
  • 1 tsp panch phoron and 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • ½ tsp turmeric and 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp mustard oil
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. Heat mustard oil and add panch phoron and red chillies.
  2. Add the harder vegetables first (potato, sweet potato, radish) and fry for 3–4 minutes.
  3. Add pumpkin, brinjal and beans with ginger paste, turmeric, cumin powder and salt.
  4. Sprinkle in a little water, cover and cook until everything is soft and partly mashed.
  5. Add the greens and sugar and cook until dry. Serve with bhoger khichuri.

History

Labra is a dish of community kitchens: whatever vegetables are at hand are cooked together in large pots for the puja offering.

Significance

Khichuri, labra and fried vegetables make up the bhog shared with everyone at a puja pandal.

Sources