Bhogichi bhaji - Winter vegetable stew

Bhogi - the day before Makar Sankranti,
usually falls on 13 th January

Bhogichi bhaji or winter vegetable stew recipe is very easy to make. This vegetable stew is made on the 'bhogi' day.

'Bhaji' means, 'subji', a vegetable side dish. This subji is also known as 'lekurvali bhaji' in Marathi.

Makar Sankranti is usually celebrated on 14th January. 'Bhogi' is celebrated the day before Makar sankranti, that is on 13th January every year. Bhogichi bhaji is served with bajra bhakri and mung dal khichadi.

'Bhogichi bhaji' made in the state of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. The seasonal vegetables are used along with roasted sesame seeds and roasted peanuts. Though this is a 'Bhogi' special bhaji, you may make it any time during winter.

The vegetables generally used are eggplants(brinjal/vangi), green peas, pumpkin, potato, fresh chickpeas (are available only during this time), carrots, beans(which ever variety is available, lablab beans(avarekai/val) etc.

You may use red pumpkin or yellow/white pumpkin for this subji. Both types of pumpkin taste good in this dish. You may also use eggplants of your choice. The purple / green or round / long.

Depending on the total quantity required, you may take one or two of each vegetable.

You may also use the leafy vegetables methi (fenugreek) and palak (spinach). This dish looks so colorful with so many vegetables of different colors.

Onion or garlic are generally not used as it is a festival recipe. But you may add them if you wish. I am not using onion or garlic in the recipe below.

ready bhogichi bhaji - lekurvali bhaji

How to make Bhogichi bhaji - Winter vegetable stew

Ingredients for Bhogichi bhaji - Winter vegetable stew

Some winter vegetables used for bhogichi bhaji

You may use any of these vegetables given below

eggplants-brinjal

broad beans

hyacinth beans

Pumpkin - Bhopla - Kaddu

fresh green peas

diced carrots

sweet potato - ratalu

green chana - chickpeas

Ingredients for bhogichi bhaji / winter vegetable stew for 3-4 servings

Potato, cubes - 1/2 cup
Eggplant (brinjal, vangi, badnekai) - 1/2 cup pieces
Lablab beans - avarekalu - 1/2 cup
Carrot, diced - 1/2 cup
Green fresh chikpeas (harbhara) - 1/2 cup
Salt – 1 tsp, more or less according to taste
Jaggery/sugar – 1/2 tsp, more or less according to taste
Fresh Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp, chopped

Spices to add

Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp, more or less according to taste
Goda masala / kala masala / garam masala - 1 to 1 1/2 tsp
Fresh ginger, chopped fine or paste - 1 tsp

For grinding

Sesame seeds - 1 1/2 tbsp
Roasted peanuts - crushed - 1 tbsp
Dry coconut / Kopra, grated - 2 tbsp

Ingredients for tempering/ tadka

Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp
Asafetida / hing – a pinch
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves – 8-10
Urad dal - 1 tsp

Step by step instructions for making Bhogichi bhaji - Winter vegetable stew

Preparation for making Bhogichi bhaji - Winter vegetable stew

1. Wash all vegetables under running water. Remove skin of potato and carrots with a peeler or a sharp knife. Cut potato, eggplants, carrots in small pieces.

Put potato and eggplant pieces in water till ready to use. Otherwise they change color.

vegetables for bhogichi bhaji

2. Roast peanuts, dry coconut, sesame seeds separately.

Powder roasted sesame seeds, kopra, peanuts in a blender/ mixer or a mortar pestle. Keep aside.

roasted coconut peanut sesame seeds

Making bhogichi bhaji - winter vegetable stew

1. Heat oil in a fry pan or a kadai or pressure cooker/pan. I am using a small pressure pan. Reduce heat to medium.

Add mustard seeds and when they start spluttering, add cumin seeds, hing / asafotida.

2. When spluttering stops, add urad dal and fry till urad dal changes color to light brown.

3. Next we will add vegetables according to the time they take to cook. The ones that take longer time to cook, we will add them first.

Add carrot and chopped beans, lablab beans (avarekalu), fresh chickpeas.

If cooking in an open pot/kadai, mix well. Cover and cook vegetables for 3 minutes. As I am going to pressure cook, I am adding all vegetables together.