Gavaarchi Bhaaji

Gavaar bhaaji was not on my list as an entry for RCI Maharashtrian Cuisine! Firstly, I don’t like gavaar, secondly I don’t get it here. But I had to post it. Firstly because my husband loves it, secondly because I found some fresh gavaar yesterday at the Indian store here, thirdly coz I cooked it for my husband yesterday and he loved to taste it nearly after 4-5 yrs and lastly coz I happened to taste it and could find no reason why I haven’t been eating it from so long! :)

Gavaar falls into the beans category, (called gavaarchi sheng in Marathi) popularly eaten as a dry vegetable in Maharashtra. Some people who don’t like to eat gavaar make excuses like “Only gavaar (meaning illiterate in Hindi) eat gavaar (the vegetable)!” It is a dry sabji, and a stir fry one! Not too much of a hassle to cook it and tastes good when served with hot rotis..

Gavaarchi Bhaaji

What you need:

300 gm Gavaar (Cluster beans)
1 big Onion
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1+1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
½ tsp Turmeric
Salt to taste
Oil

How to proceed:

1) Discard the ends of gavaar and cut each into 2-3 pieces of 1 inch each
2) Wash the cut gavaar and cook it in cooker for 1 whistle
3) Heat 1-2 tbsp oil and add cumin seeds to it
4) When the seeds start spluttering, add chopped onion and fry till it is a bit cooked
5) Now add red chilli powder and turmeric and mix for a few secs
6) Now add gavaar and mix well
7) Add salt, mix and cook covered for 5-10 mins
8) Serve hot with chapattis/rotis