Pan-fried Eddoes / Arbi nu Shaak

Today, I will be sharing with you the recipe for Arbi nu Shaak, also known as pan-fried eddoes. What is the eddoes vegetable? Eddoes are a root vegetable and are a form of taro and having never made this myself, I was intrigued as to how they would taste after I received a request for the recipe for 'Arbi nu Shaak' from a viewer of this website.

After some research and experimentation, I came up with this: (It's delicious!)

(serves 2)

How to cook eddoes?

Ingredients:

8 eddoes (washed very well, peeled, washed again (they can be sticky!) and cut into 2 to 3mm thick slices)

1 heaped tsp salt (and more to taste when the dish is served, only if desired)

0.5 tsp turmeric powder

1 level tsp red chilli powder

1 heaped tsp dhana-jeeru (cumin-coriander powder)

1 heaped tbsp fresh ginger (washed, peeled and grated)

1 tsp fresh, ground, green chillies

For the tarka:

3 tbsps vegetable oil (preferably sunflower oil)

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 pinch asafoetida

Method:

1. In a dish, mix the eddoes, salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin-coriander powder, green chillis and ginger and mix very well so that the eddoes are well coated in the spices.

2. In a wok or large frying pan, heat the oil until it's very hot on a medium to high flame and add in the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. 

3. Once the seeds start going golden brown and start to pop, add in the asafoetida.

4. Quickly add in the spice coated eddoes and stir well until everything in the wok or frying pan is well combined.

5. Keep stirring for a good 3 to 4 minutes until the eddoes are heated through.

6. Cover the pan and turn the heat down to a medium-low heat. Cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes until the eddoes are properly cooked. (You will be able to pierce the eddoes with a knife easily and they will be soft when you bite into them.)

7. The 'Pan-fried Eddoes' or 'Arbi nu Shaak' is now ready to serve. They can make for a delicious side dish to a meat dish or Gujaratis will often eat them as a main course.

NB: picture of shop bought eddoes:

Where to buy eddoes? I bought these at Morrisons supermarkets in the UK but I am sure that you can buy these in any Indian grocery stores. I believe they are also sold at Asda Supermarkets and Tesco Supermarkets in the UK.

Peeled eddoes:

Eddoes halved and sliced:

So there you have it! Tasty Pan-fried Eddoes (Arbi nu shaak)!

'Til next time ... enjoy!

Bon appetit! xx