During summer, my weekend routine is to visit our local farmers market that is bursting with the smell and sight of fresh produce. Towards the end of the summer, I start stocking up on all the veggies which are harder to find in winters. Small eggplants (to make achari baingan aloo recipe), big eggplants (to make bharta), karela (bitter gourd), Fenugreek leaves, mint leaves, just to name a few. With all that purchase, it is impossible to fill your fridge with fresh, organic veggies. So how do I stock them? Will cover that later in the recipe. Today’s recipe comes from my mom’s signature dishes. This was one of her favorites and a must have in our house. Achari baingan aloo recipe is a simple and lip smacking dish. As the name suggest, small eggplants and potatoes are cooked in pickled spices. Recipe below is shown in two steps . First step includes dry roasting of the spices. Dry roasting is important as it releases the magical oils that are trapped inside the raw seeds. Cool and coarsely grind all the seeds. Second step involves cooking and assembling of the veggies. After all the ingredients are mixed in, recipe calls to pour in water. This dish is traditionally enjoyed in a thick semi liquid state. So, add according to taste. Garnish with cilantro leaves, adjust seasonings and enjoy! Pair it with your favorite dal and create a yummy meal tonight.
Continuing from above – how do I stock my fresh produce ? I freeze them. Here is what I do –
Wash and thoroughly clean veggies and greens in a tub of warm water. Clean away all the dirt and impurities. Let veggies air dry completely. For eggplants – I cut them in halves and shallow fry until tender but not soft. Drain on paper towel and store in airtight containers or seal in plastic bags. Good for 4-5 months. For karela (bitter gourd) – peel the skin, and slit them lengthwise. Store in airtight containers or seal in plastic bags. Good for 4-5 months. For fenugreek and mint leaves – chop and seal in plastic bags. I prefer to dry some mint to use in my cooking. If making bharta – roast eggplants, peel and store the eggplant flesh in plastic bags. Good for 4-5 months.
It’s that easy and you can enjoy your favorite veggies all year long.
