Discover the Best Indian Zucchini Recipes! 🌿🍛 From rich, spiced zucchini curries to crispy stir-fries, these flavorful and easy-to-make dishes bring a delicious Indian twist to this versatile vegetable. Perfect for weeknight dinners or festive meals—try them today!
Yields: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini, washed and chopped into ½ inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, slit lengthwise (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Step-by-Step Pictures:
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Ingredients
Ensure you have all the ingredients ready. Wash and chop the zucchini, finely chop the onion, slit the green chili, grate the ginger, mince the garlic, and measure out the spices. Chop cilantro for garnish.
Step 2: Temper the Spices
Heat vegetable oil in a medium-sized pan or kadai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
Step 3: Sauté Onions and Green Chili
Add the chopped onions and slit green chili to the pan. Sauté them on medium heat until the onions turn light golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Step 4: Add Ginger and Garlic
Once the onions are golden, add the grated ginger and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about a minute until the raw smell disappears. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 5: Add Dry Spices
Lower the heat and add turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder (if using). Stir well and sauté for a few seconds. Be careful not to burn the spices. Adding a splash of water can prevent them from burning.
Step 6: Add Zucchini
Add the chopped zucchini to the pan and mix well with the spiced onion mixture. Ensure all the zucchini pieces are coated with the spices.
Step 7: Add Salt and Cook
Add salt to taste and mix well. Cover the pan with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Zucchini releases its water, so you usually don’t need to add extra water. If it seems too dry, you can add a tablespoon or two of water.
Step 8: Add Garam Masala and Cilantro
Once the zucchini is cooked and tender, remove the lid. Increase the heat slightly and sauté for a couple of minutes to dry out any excess water. Add garam masala and chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well.
Step 9: Serve
Your delicious Zucchini Sabzi is ready to serve! Garnish with a little more fresh cilantro if desired. Enjoy it hot with your favorite Indian bread or rice.
Tips and Variations:
- You can add a pinch of amchur powder (dry mango powder) at the end for a tangy flavor.
- For a richer sabzi, you can add ½ a teaspoon of besan (gram flour) after sautéing the onions and cook for a minute before adding the spices.
- You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or potatoes along with the zucchini. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For a no-onion, no-garlic version, skip those ingredients and proceed with tempering cumin seeds and then adding ginger and green chili.
- Some people prefer to peel the zucchini before chopping, but it’s not necessary as the skin is edible and nutritious.
Enjoy your homemade Zucchini Sabzi!
