Written by Garima Johar Has been updated: May 21, 2024
The intense summer heat reduces appetite. Therefore, it is important to add flavor to your plate in order to eat well. So why not try some Punjabi summer vegetable recipes to get both taste and nutrition?
Punjab is known for its rich and flavorful food. With a rich food tradition, this land has authentic recipes for all kinds of vegetables, fruits and grains. In summer, juicy and hydrating vegetables occupy the most space on the plate. But other than eating your usual refreshing salad, you might look for new and delicious salads.
To break the monotony of plates that look and taste the same every day, you can always count on flavorful Punjabi recipes. If you’re looking for decadent summer recipes to spice up your meals, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some selected Punjabi recipes that you can try.
Lauki, also known as giya or bottle gourd, is a summer vegetable that has high water content to keep the body hydrated. Lauki is often overlooked, but with this Punjabi lauki ke khofte recipe, you can enjoy vegetables like never before. To make it, grate the lauki and mix it with besan and your favorite spices to make a dough. Then take out the mixture in portions and fry to make kofte. Make a tomato- and onion-based gravy and simmer the kofte until tender. Finally, enjoy the sabzi with roti or rice.
Kathar (jackfruit) is a summer fruit that provides a meaty sabzi for vegetarians. To make Punjabi kathal sabzi, cut the kathal into bite-sized pieces. Next, make the masala by mixing chopped onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic with the spice mix. Once the masala becomes fragrant, add the kathal pieces and fry until soft. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.
Baingan or eggplant is a delicious and nutritious vegetable to add to your summer diet. After reading this Punjabi Baingan Ka Bharta recipe, you too will become a real fan of vegetables. To make baingan ka bharta, take the eggplants and roast them on a gas stove. Then peel and mash it and keep it aside. The masala is prepared by adding mashed eggplants, chopped onions, tomato puree, ginger garlic paste and spices. Then add the roasted baingan and cook until all the flavors are absorbed and serve with the roti.
Kadu or petha or pumpkin is also a vegetable commonly used in making katta meetha kadu in Punjabi households. To make a slightly sweet and tangy dish, cut the pumpkin into small pieces. To make the tadka, add the jeera to the oil and let it splatter. Then add spices like turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt. To add sweetness to the sabzi, add tamarind pulp and jaggery along with the cut kadu and simmer. After garnishing with chopped coriander, enjoy the sabzi with freshly made rotis.
Bhindi, or okra, is a nutritious vegetable that helps you beat the summer heat. Apart from the health benefits, bhindi fries are very easy and quick to prepare. Just chop the onions and fry them with jeera, salt, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Then add the chopped bhindi and cook until the vegetables are soft. You can enjoy sabzi with roti within 30 minutes.
Albi, also known as Colocasia, is a root vegetable that is commonly grown in Indian homes during the summer. Vegetables like potatoes are super easy to make. Tadka can be made by heating oil and adding spices like jeera, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, salt and chopped onions. Once fragrant, mix in the vertically sliced arubi. Once the albi is golden brown, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with roti.
