“Jeevi Kadgi Upkari (Bread Fruit Stir Fry/ Nirphanas Bhaji)” … jeevi kadgi is seasonal veggie and is available a few times in the year … though podi/ fries tastes the best and is the most favorite of all, there are a few more dishes that tastes wonderful too … here is a simple aromatic hing flavored upkari to be served as side dish with dal- chawal during meals … Yummilicious …
** There are so many varieties of dishes that can be prepared with Jeevi Kadgi (in konkani)/ Breadfruit (in English). This is an oval shaped seasonal veggie (picture shared) with a thin textured light green skin. The flesh within is soft and slightly sweetish in taste. Almost all GSB Konkani Saraswats are familiar with this fruit. It’s a seasonal veggie and is available a few times in a year round the world especially in Asian countries, though it is a little bit rare in northern parts of India. Bajia/ bajo or podi (fries) are most sought after dishes prepared from jeevi kadgi and be it young or old, all love them alike. I have shared them before in the blog along with a few other curry dishes too, do try them.
** As the variety available in southern parts is not available in my vicinity, I really cannot do much justice to this vegetable which I could otherwise have done. However it is available in Mangalore Stores in Mumbai and needs to be booked in advance, and the stores being a little bit out of the way from my place I do not get to buy them much. Again, a different variety is available in my place which is smaller in size and the skin too is slightly thicker and I have tried them out a few times. But, then it does not taste the same and is very sticky to cut, which is not at all pleasant, so I hardly purchase the same. In all if this veggie is available in your place or you have access to it then do try it out.
** In all definitely a tasty veggie which you must try if you can manage to buy them. These days almost everything is available online, maybe in future we may be able to buy the same too. I had been to Mulund a place a station away from Thane, where there are a few Mangalore stores and they do bring them for sale and managed to a get a few smaller ones recently, so making the best of the same. I have asked them to book a few for me in their next lot, let’s see if I will be lucky enough to get them. Till then try out this simple upkari/ bhaji and serve along with dal-chawal during meals, its tastes awesome. I am also sharing a common link to previous jeevi kadgi post, do check them out.
** Here is the recipe for “Jeevi Kadgi Upkari (Bread Fruit Stir Fry/ Nirphanas Bhaji)” … I must mention here that the recipe is a traditional recipe from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine prepared in almost all homes …
** Slice off the skin portion of breadfruit/ jeevi kadgi/ nirphanas as thinly as possible and keep it aside. You can prepare fries out of the same which I have shared elsewhere in the Blog. If not desired then you can discard the same.
** Cut the breadfruit in the center horizontally and then vertically to get four quarters out of the same. Slice off the center pith which is otherwise sticky and discard the same. Now cut into slices of half inch or as desired but of equal size.
** Check out the picture below if new to "Jeevi Kadgi/ Bread Fruit/ Nirphanas" veggie and also the size in which it needs to be cut. Also sharing a common link at the bottom of this recipe to more recipes using the same.
** Add the cut veggies immediately into a bowl of water to avoid being discolored. Just before cooking put them into a colander, rinse under running water, keep it aside for a minute or two to let drain off excess water as much as possible.
** I used a medium sized Jeevi Kadgi/ Bread Fruit/ Nirphanas for this upkari/ bhaji/ stir fry, so in all I had about 3-4 cups of cut pieces. You may use according to your requirement, however do adjust the spices accordingly.
** Heat 1 tblsp of coconut oil (nariyal tel/ narlel tela) in a thick bottomed kadai/ pan. When hot add 1 tsp of mustard seeds (rai/ sasam). When it begins to splutter add 4-5 dry red chillies (sukki mirsanga/ sukki mirchi) cut into pieces along with ½- 1 tsp of hing (asafoetida) powder and 8-10 fresh curry leaves (kadipatta/ karbevu). Fry all the ingredients together for a few seconds.
** Note : I have used coconut oil, as it makes the dish that much more aromatic and tastier, however, you can use any oil you prefer to. However, I do suggest using coconut oil for best in taste, try it, you may love it too. In addition, you can increase the number of chillies if desired as this veggie does have a slight sweetish tinge.
** Now add drained jeevi kadgi pieces and mix well. Lower the heat, sprinkle a tsp of water, cover and let cook for 4-5 minutes stirring in a few times and adding more water only if required. Usually the water within the veggie is more than enough for it to be cooked so be careful with addition of water to avoid it turning mushy.
** Add salt (namak/ meeta) to taste, mix well, cover and cook until 95% done. Lastly add 1-2 tblsp of freshly grated coconut (soyi/ nariyal) and mix well. Cover and cook for a few more minutes until the upkari/ bhaji/ stir fry is done. Remove and keep it aside covered for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to seep in and its ready.
** “Jeevi Kadgi Upkari (Bread Fruit Stir Fry/ Nirphanas Bhaji)” is done and ready to be served. Tastes best served hot as a side dish with dalitoy (spiced tuvar dal) and sheetHa (rice) or as an accompaniment to any dish of your choice. Simple veggie bhaji is always a delight to relish during meals along with other dishes and this one is a simple nutritious dish that is sure to be loved by one and all.
** Sharing two common links below to “Jeevi Kadgi” and “Upkari” recipes shared in the Blog. Please browse through and do try them out ….
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Thanks.