Niramish Enchorer Dalna/Pure Veg Green Jack-fruit Curry

Jack Fruit, when unripe and cooked as a vegetable, is what Bengalis call the venison or mutton amongst the vegetarian delicacy; such is the flavor and the taste of this unique vegetable. There are numerous ways that jackfruit can be cooked, be it with prawns or with other ingredients, here I have chosen to make it pure veg, since my mom does not take onions and garlic. But you can add pastes of onion and garlic in the same manner. In case you want to cook them with onion and garlic, add them just before you add the ginger paste.

 

 

Ingredients –
• Green Jack Fruit – cut in medium sized cubes
• Potatoes – cut in cubes
• Turmeric powder
• Salt
• Ginger paste
• Tomatoes – cubed
• Cumin powder
• Green chillies
• For tempering — bay leaves, cumin seeds OR Garam masala (whole, coarsely crushed cinnamon, cardamom and cloves) and, for finishing off, garam masala powder
• Ghee and cooking oil

 

Procedure —
• Clean and chop the green jack-fruit well.
• Boil it in water with turmeric and salt.
• When done, strain and keep aside.
• Peel and chop the potatoes.
• Now heat oil and temper with bay leaves, and cumin seeds OR crushed cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
• Then once the tempering crackles, add ginger paste.
• Now fry the potatoes.
• Add chopped tomatoes, and cook for a while.
• Now add the following powdered spices — turmeric, salt and cumin.
• Also add some green chilies (paste or slit ones).
• Pour the green jack-fruit.
• Stir well. Cook for a while
• Add some water (preferably warm).
• Add garam masala.
• Let the flavours get absorbed.
• Let the whole concoction cook properly. There wouldn’t be too much of liquid in the gravy.
• Finally add a swirl of ghee; and serve with steamed rice.