Arbi Masala (Spicy Colacassia)

50 mins

Serves 4 people

Author: Rajni Ram

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A simple everyday subji. I make the Arbi/Arvi as a roast, sometimes as a simple fry, and it can also be added while making Sambhar or Kadi. This tuber is a little slimy, but that can be managed by dusting the Arbi with a little Besan/ Gram flour or rice flour. In this recipe, I have pre-cooked the Arbi in a pressure cooker and then baked it for the extra crispiness. You can also deep fry it. I do that quite often too. Let’s get to the recipe right away.

Some recipes have been blogged at a time when we were in the midst of the Global Covid Pandemic, including this one. (I started this blog, in the midst of the Pandemic). Therefore the pictures may not be upto the mark, none of the online outlets would deliver a ring light, or a tripod. So it is single hand photography, with regular kitchen lighting. But I assure you, the recipe is fool proof and flavour max.

The Arbi Masala is ideal to be paired with Dal Rice, Roti, Paratha’s and more.

While you are here I request you to look up my other every Subji recipes like- Bhindi Aloo, Stuffed Karela, Menthiya Keerai Kootu, Drumstick Curry,and more…

Ingredients

Arbi/Colaccasia 250 gm( boiled and skin peeled)
Onions 2 roughly chopped
Tomatoes 2 large finely chopped
Green chilli 2 chopped
Fresh coriander 1 tbsp finely chopped
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1.5 tsp
Fennel powder(optional) 1 tsp
Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp
oil for frying and making the masala.
Cumin 1 tsp
Curry leaves a few

Assemble all ingredients. Cook Arbi in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles. cool. Peel skin, cut into cubes, and set aside.
Fry the cooked and cut Arbi in oil or bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 1/2 an hour. They should be nicely browned and crisp.
In a pan or karahi heat oil. Add the cumin and turmeric powder. Add in the green chillies and onion and fry well.
Add the tomatoes, salt, and all dry spices mentioned under ingredients. Saute the mixture well. The tomatoes should become soft and the mixture should resemble a semi-dry paste.
Add in the garam masala and chopped coriander and finally add the fried/baked Arbi and give a good stir. The masala paste should coat all the Arbi’s well. Sprinkle some more chopped coriander and we are ready to serve.
Serve with Rotis, Parathas, or just Dal Chawal. Enjoy. Bon Appetit.

Boil the Arbi in a pressure cooker, with a little salt for 2 whistles. Stick to 2 whistles or it will turn soggy and lose the crispness in the subji. Cool it, Peel the skin cut it into medium size pieces( if very small, use as it is), and set aside. To deep-fry, take oil in a Karahi and heat it. drop the cut Arbi gently into the oil and fry until they are a nice brown and crisp.

If baking, then place them on a greased tray, drizzle a little oil over them, or you could use a brush to apply the oil and bake at 180 degrees for half an hour, turning over the Arbi midway, say around 15 mins. Bake until brown and crisp. Set aside.

Now in a pan or Karahi heat 1 tbsp oil. Add the cumin and turmeric and add the green chilli and chopped onion to this and saute well. Fry them well, but don’t get them brown. Now add in the tomatoes, salt, and all the dry spices. cook until the tomatoes break and release water and the mixture looks like a thick paste. Add the garam masala and fresh coriander and mix. Finally, add in the fried/baked Arbi and mix nicely, so that the masala paste coats it evenly. Serve hot with Parathas, Roti, or Dal Chawal.

Notes:

Amchur/ dry mango powder can be used along with other dry masalas if you prefer a little more tanginess. I have not added as I almost always use the country tomatoes/desi tomatoes/Naatu thakkali. They are naturally sour than the hybrid tomatoes or the Bangalore ones.
A little gram flour can be mixed with the dry spices and sprinkled over the Arbi before frying them. I have added besan as the Arbi is going to be mixed into the paste, and so will not taste bland.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you.