Pakistan, India – Vegetable Pakora (Spiced Fritters With Vegetables)

by Usama Tariq

Introduction

Pakora also called pakoda or ponako is a snack served by street vendors. The word pakora is an Urdu word that means fritter in English. It is a batter-fried dish with some variations in it like you can make it with potatoes, with onions, cauliflower, spinach, etc. it has many variations. It is and south Asian dish and popular worldwide. In Pakistan, every person knew about that dish or snacks because in the month of Ramadan (fasting) every Muslim made it to their own home in the time fasting and open their fast with that delicious snacks. It is full of nutritious and rich in healthy diets. It has some benefits but it also has some disadvantages. People who pretend from oily things by their doctors should not eat these snacks. It is served and available at many small restaurants and street dhabas, but you can make it at your own home by following these cooking method steps and made your day with this evening snacks. Some people in Pakistan eat Pakoras with chapatti and raita. It’s the choice that you can eat with chapatti or not but is very delightful with chapatti.

Origin and history

The spiced fritter is originated from the Indian Subcontinent. It is first introduced in northern India, but it is famous in Pakistan then Asia, and then all over the world with the passage of time. In India, spiced fritters have many names like bajji in Andhara Pardesh, bhajia in Gujarat, etc. it is also known as deep-fried balls of chopped onion, potatoes, or spinach.

Serving

Pakora or spiced fritters are snacks it means that snacks are served with some tomato ketchup, some yogurt Raita, etc. you can serve it with wheat chapatti, sourdough or Naan, etc.

Ingredients

• (Cabbage) 1 Cup
•  (Capsicum) julienne 1 Cup
•  (Carrot) julienne ½ Cup
• (Coriander seeds) crushed 1 tbs
•  (Cumin seeds) crushed 1 tbs
• (Fresh coriander) chopped 3 tbs
•  (Gram flour) sifted 2 Cups
• (Green chili) chopped 2-3
• (Green onion) chopped 1 Cup
•  (Onion) sliced ½ Cup
•  (Potato) julienne 1 Cup
•  (Red chili powder) ½ tbs or to taste
•  (Salt) 1 tsp or to taste
•  (Spinach) chopped 1 Cup
•  (Water) ½ Cup or as required
• Baking soda 1/4 tsp 
• Cooking oil for frying

Cooking Method

• Take a medium-size bowl adds sifted gram flour in it.

• Then add chopped spinach, cabbage, julienne capsicum, chopped green onion, julienne potato, julienne carrot, sliced onion, chopped fresh coriander, and chopped green chili, red chili powder to taste, crushed coriander seeds, crushed cumin seeds, salt to taste, and baking soda in that bowl.

• After adding these ingredients mix well with your hands.
• Then add some water as required and again mixing up with your hand.

• Add water gradually and continue mixing it.
• Mix it well until its thickness form appeared.
• Set it aside.

Steps For Frying Spiced Fritters

• Now take a wok, add some oil heated the oil at the medium level flame.
• Take a prepared mixture of gram flour to add some mixture in heated oil in the form of pakora
• Let’s fry it.

• Fry it on low flame until its color changes to a golden brown.

• After frying put out from wok and set into the plate.
• Your vegetable pakora is ready to eat.
• Serve it to your loved ones and your family members.

• You can serve it with raita.
• After dish out pakora add some chaat masala to it and chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.
• Enjoy the meal.

Nutritional Facts

• Calories: 140 kcal
• Proteins: 8g
• Fats: 2.5g

Time Required

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time:  10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes required

Additional Information

• Serving: 2 to 3 Persons
• Origin: Indian Subcontinent
• Cuisine: Pakistan, Indian (Mughlai)
• Taste: Moderate and Salty