Purple Yam Godi Upkari / Kand Sweet Bhaji.

“Purple Yam Godi Upkari / Kand Sweet Bhaji” A healthy-delicious upkari/bhaji that can be relished as a side dish with any dish of your choice, specially with pova chutney (beaten rice upma) … Enjoy …. 

** Purple Yam / Khand as known in Hindi is a tuber variety of veggie similar to other yam also know in some places as elephant foot yam. By and large we Konkani Saraswats use the ordinary light orange colored ones in preparing dishes and this one I came across when I came and settle in Mumbai. These tubers are extremely healthy and full of vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and almost fat free. My mother always insists we eat it at least once in a fortnight as it purifies blood and she always made sure that upkari/bhaji prepared out the orange one was given to new mothers too. The purple variety is slightly slimy in nature but tastes superb when cooked in different ways. My hubby loves simple sweet bhaji prepared using this one similar to the sweet potato upkari we usually prepare. Try this dish if it is available in your vicinity and do include it into your daily diet and enjoy the health benefits. 

** Here is the simple recipe for “Purple Yam Godi Upkari / Kand Sweet Bhaji” … My Style … 

** This is re-edited version of the recipe, except for the fact of additional picture and a little bit of change in foreword, rest of the recipe remains same. 

** Peel of slice thinly the outer skin of ½ a kilo purple yam and cut into evenly sized medium cubes. Wash and drain of the excess water. Keep this ready aside. 

** In a thick bottomed kadai heat 2 tblsp of oil, add ½ tsp urad dal (optional), when the color changes add 1 tsp mustard seeds (rai/sasam), when they begin to splutter, add 4-5 Red chillies cut to pieces, 8-10 curry leaves (Kadipatta) and 2 tblsp of hing (asafoetida) powder. You can reduce the quantity if you do not like strong hing smell. But for this dish we add a little bit more than others. 

** Now add in the cut and kept ready purple yam pieces, salt to taste and mix well, add in ½ cup of water and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, mix well lower the heat and cook covered till 70% done. Finally add in 3 small lemon sized pieces of Jaggery (Gud) cut into pieces or grated. Cover and cook till done. 

** When the yam / kand is cooked completely add in 2-3 tblsp of freshly grated coconut (soyi) and mix well. There may remain in a few tablespoon of water in the upkari/bhaji, don’t worry we always keep a little bit water as it as it tastes great when relishing in pova chutney etc. In fact many a times we add a little bit more water, so that we can retain the same when cooked.

** “Purple Yam Godi Upkari / Kand Sweet Bhaji” is done and ready to be served. This can be served as it is or with pova chutney or roti too. This upkari / bhaji can be prepared and eaten when you are fasting / upwas along with any other dishes of your choice. In my home we enjoy eating this as it is too or sometime with roti or pova chutney. 

** Do try out this simple dish and enjoy with your family and friends. Children love this soft and sweet bhaji and the added bonus here is it is loaded with health benefits. So the next time you see it in market or with your vegetable vendor do purchase it and try out this simple dish, I am sure your family will love it.