Healthy Recipies Series
Undhiyu – Gujarat’s Winter Vegetable Medley
Undhiyu is a traditional Gujarati mixed vegetable dish, especially famous in Surat, prepared during winter when fresh seasonal vegetables are abundant. The name comes from the Gujarati word “undhu” meaning “upside down,” as the dish was originally cooked underground in earthen pots placed upside down and heated with firewood. It is most commonly served during Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) festivities with puris and shrikhand.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
Vegetables:
- Small brinjals – 6–8
- Green beans (valor papdi) – 1 cup, stringed and cut
- Baby potatoes – 8–10, peeled
- Sweet potato – 1 medium, cubed
- Raw banana – 1, cubed
- Yam (suran) – 1 cup, cubed
- Methi (fenugreek) dumplings – optional, 8–10
- For the Masala Stuffing:
- Fresh coriander leaves – 1 cup, chopped
- Fresh coconut – ½ cup, grated
- Green chilies – 2, chopped
- Ginger – 1 tbsp, grated
- Garlic – 4–5 cloves
- Sesame seeds – 2 tbsp
- Roasted peanuts – 2 tbsp, crushed
- Besan (gram flour) – 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
- Sugar or jaggery – 1 tbsp
- Salt – 1 ½ tsp
- Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tsp
- Cumin powder – 1 tsp
- Garam masala – ½ tsp
- Oil – ½ cup (traditionally generous, but can reduce for lighter version)
Method
- Prepare the masala stuffing by blending coriander, coconut, green chili, ginger, garlic, sesame, peanuts, besan, spices, lemon juice, and sugar/jaggery.
- Slit brinjals and potatoes crosswise (without cutting fully) and stuff them with the masala.
- Heat oil in a large thick-bottomed pot. Add stuffed vegetables, sweet potato, raw banana, yam, and beans.
- Sprinkle remaining masala over vegetables, add ½–1 cup water, cover, and cook on low heat until everything is tender (about 30–40 minutes). Stir occasionally.
- Add fried methi dumplings at the end if using.
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot with puris or phulkas.
Nutritional Value (per serving, approx. 200g)
- Calories – ~220–250 kcal
- Protein – 6–7 g
- Carbohydrates – 35–38 g
- Fiber – 7–8 g
- Fat – 8–10 g (varies with oil used)
- Rich in: Dietary fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants from multiple seasonal vegetables.
Undhiyu is a seasonal superfood that combines diverse winter vegetables, offering fiber, antioxidants, and essential micronutrients in one wholesome, flavorful dish.
