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Showing posts with label pumpkin leaves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pumpkin leaves. Show all posts

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Kakharu Patra Bara ( Tender Pumpkin leaf Fritters )

Pumpkin leaves or 'Kakharu patra' is one of the many greens consumed in Odisha. Though the leaves are rather coarse to touch and one might have initial misgivings about consuming them, they are quite delicious if prepared properly. While the 'Kakharu Dunka Raee' is the most popular recipe that makes use of the leaves, there are lesser known stir fries made with the tender ones.

But it was one of those days when I wanted something crispy to go with my rice and dal. And these leaves were the only thing I had in stock. Hence I ended up chopping them finely, mixing them with some garlic, onion and a binding agent to prepare some nice pan-fried fritters.

Read on for the recipe -

















Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredients -

  • 9-10 tender pumpkin leaves
  • 1-2 small garlic cloves (finely chopped)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/5 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 tsp besan
  • 1 tsp cornflour
  • salt to taste
  • 3-4 tsp for pan frying


Preparation - Wash and shake off the excess water from the pumpkin leaves. Chop into fine pieces.

Take into a mixing bowl along with the garlic, onions, besan, cornflour, red chili powder and salt. Mix everything using a few drops of water.

Cooking - Heat a frying pan. Drizzle a teaspoon of oil all over the surface.

Take spoonfuls of the mixture on the pan and flatten into small discs. Drizzle more oil around each one.

Cook till brown spots appear on the surface. Flip them over.

Drizzle little more oil around each one. Remove them once they are crisp and done on both sides.

Serve hot with rice and dal.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Kakharu saaga Bhaja ( Pumpkin leaves fry )















Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of Preparation: 25-30 Rupees

Ingredients: Kakharu saaga and dunka ( use only the tender tips, 3-4 cups ),  ridge gourd (chopped into small pieces, 1/2 cup), potato ( chopped into small pieces, 1/2 cups), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp ),  dry red chilli ( 2 nos), garlic cloves ( 5-6 nos ), oil ( 3 tsp), salt to taste.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the dry red chillis and pancha phutana. Allow to splutter.

Add all the vegetables and mix well. Cover with a lid and allow to cook till tender. ( Takes abt 7-8 mins)

Remove the lid and allow excess water to evaporate.

Add salt and mix. Add the crushed garlic flakes and remove the wok from the stove.

Serve hot with rice.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Kakharu Dunka Raee ( Pumpkin leaves/stem curry)


















A delicious curry made with pumpkin leaves, stems and tendrils.


Cost of Preparation: 50-60 Rupees
Cooking Time Required: 30-35 mins


Ingredients: Chopped Kakharu dunka ( tender pumpkin stems, tendrils and leaves ) 4 cups, pumpkin ( 1/2 cup), potato ( 1/2 cup), colocassia/saru ( 1/3 cup ), brinjal ( 1/2 cup), tomato ( 1 cup ), ridge gourd ( 1/2 cup), pointed gourd/potola ( 1/2 cup), garlic pods ( 10-12 nos), red chilli ( 3-4 nos ), mustard seeds ( 2 tsp), cumin seeds ( 1 tsp), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp), oil ( 3 tsp), turmeric ( 1/4 tsp), salt to taste.

Preparation: Grind the mustard  seeds, cumin, 2 red chillis and 7-8 garlic pods into a fine paste.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the red chilli and pancha phutana. Allow to splutter.
Add all the chopped vegetables except for the pumpkin leaves and tomato. Add turmeric.

Stir fry the vegetables for 5-7 minutes. Add the pumpkin leaves and tomatoes and mix well. Sprinkle salt and cover with lid for 3-4 mins.

Add the mustard-cumin paste. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup water and cover with a lid.

Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. ( If the veggies are still not done , pressure cook on a high flame for 2-3 mins. )

Crush and add the remaining garlic flakes just before removing the wok from the stove.

Serve hot with white rice.


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