Bamboo shoot bhaji
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Tender bamboo shoots gathered from the forest in the monsoon, boiled and stir-fried with onion, chilli and spices, a seasonal tribal dish.
Region: Dadra and Nagar HaveliOccasion: Monsoon (June to August)Time: 1 hrServes: 4Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups tender bamboo shoots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 1 onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, crushed; 2 green chillies
- ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 2 tbsp grated coconut or crushed groundnuts (optional)
- Salt to taste
Method
- Boil the chopped bamboo shoots in plenty of water for 15–20 minutes, drain, and repeat with fresh water to remove bitterness.
- Heat the oil and splutter the mustard. Fry the onion, garlic and green chillies.
- Add turmeric, chilli powder and the drained bamboo shoots with salt.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring now and then. Add coconut or groundnuts and serve with nagli or rice bhakri.
History
Tribal families of the region have long gathered wild foods such as bamboo shoots, mushrooms and greens from the forest during the rains.
Significance
Wild monsoon foods add variety and nutrition to the diet in the lean season before the harvest. Fresh bamboo shoots must always be boiled well before eating.