Mamta's Kitchen

Jackfruit Seeds Bhaji/Sabji

Kut-hal or Kat-hal Beej Ki Sabji

Ashok Gupta

CurryFree From GarlicFree From TomatoIndianMainSideVegetarian

Kat-hal is pronounced as Kut-hull in Hindi. Its seeds often have a thick, plastic like skin, which has to be removed from the flesh before making jack-fruit curry. If you can get a very green jack-fruit, before this tough skin has had a chance to develop around the seeds, that is better. Many Bangladeshi shops in UK sell seeds on their own. They have Indian water chestnut (Singhara) like texture and make a lovely bhaji in my opinion. As they are not as sweet as water chestnuts, they taste better when cooked with onions, but can be cooked without onions. They take longer to cook than water chestnuts, which are quite watery and cook very fast.

Serves 4 as a side dish.

Ingredients

  • 500 gm. jack-fruit seeds

  • 2 tbsp. oil

  • 1 tsp. cumin seeds

  • A pinch of hing or asafoetida powder (optional)

  • 1 medium sized onion, peeled and sliced thinly

  • 1/2 tbsp. finely chopped ginger

  • 1 green chilli chopped

  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder, optional

  • 1/2 tsp. chilli powder, adjusted to taste

  • 1/2 tsp. salt, adjusted to taste

  • 1/4 tsp. or less sugar (a large pinch)

  • Juice of 1/4 lemon

  • 1/2 tsp. Garam Masala

  • Green coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place whole seeds in a bowl with half a cup of water and microwave for 3-4 minutes, to soften them up. You can steam them in pressure cooker for a minute or two, no more, on full pressure.

  2. Cut each seed into 4 lengthways. Peel the plastic like skin off. This should just slide off effortlessly after steaming.

  3. Heat oil in a wok or karahi, add cumin seeds and asafoetida powder. As seeds crackle, add onion, ginger and green chillies and stir-fry until lightly browned. If not using onions, move on to the next step after cumin seeds crackle.

  4. Add the sliced jack-fruit seeds, spices and salt. Stir and cook covered on low heat until they look nice and shiny.

  5. Add sugar and stir it in.

  6. Squeeze a little lemon juice, sprinkle the garam masala and transfer to a bowl.

  7. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with hot Parathas.

Notes

  • You can add one chopped tomato after frying the onions, before adding jack-fruit. Stir fry until tomatoes are soft and then add the seeds.


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