Palong Shaker Ghonto is a traditional Bengali dish that features a medley of spinach (palong shak) and other vegetables cooked together with spices.
It is a flavorful and nutritious vegetarian dish commonly prepared in Bengali households. However, you can prepare the dish with fish head as well
The term “ghonto” refers to a mixed vegetable dish in which various ingredients are combined to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
Palong Shaker Ghonto is typically seasoned with a combination of spices such as turmeric, cumin, ginger, and sometimes a hint of garam masala.
Key Takeaways:
- Palong Shaker Ghonto is a traditional Bengali dish made with spinach and an assortment of vegetables cooked together with spices.
- It can be prepared as a vegetarian dish or with the addition of fish head.
- The term “ghonto” refers to a mixed vegetable dish that combines various ingredients to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
- The dish is seasoned with a combination of spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger, and sometimes garam masala.
- Palong Shaker Ghonto is commonly served as a side dish with rice or roti as part of a traditional Bengali meal.
The Ingredients:
- A bunch of spinach (Chopped and washed properly)
- Flat green beans cut into cubes
- 2 medium sized potatoes cut into cubes
- 3 small-sized radishes cut longitudinally
- 2 small eggplants cut in small cubes
- Panchforon: 1/2 tbl spoon
- Dry red chillies 2 pcs
- Turmeric powder: 1 and ½ tbl spoon
- A mix of coriander powder and cumin powder: 1 tbl spoon
- Colour Red Chilli Powder:1 tsp
- Ginger paste: 1 tbl spoon
- Green Chillies: 8-10
- Sun-dried lentil dumpling: 15-20
- Mustard Oil 3 tablespoon
- Salt to taste
How to Cook Palong Shaker Ghonto (Step by Step Images)?
1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Fry the lentil dumplings on a low flame till golden brown. Take them out in a bowl.
3. Add eggplants, salt and turmeric powder to the oil. Give them a good stir. Sauté for a few minutes. Take them out.
4. Add more oil. Add dry red chilies and panch phoron.
5. After the foron (Panchforon) starts spluttering, add other vegetables.
6. Sauté well. Add all the spices. Stir well. Add salt.
7. Add turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder and red chilli powder to the veggies.
8. Add a little bit of water. After it comes to a boil, add more water.
9. Make a thick gravy, Crush the fried dumplings and add them to the gravy.
10. Add green chilies. Cover the pan with a lid.
11. After a few minutes, add the spinach and some salt.
12. Mix well. Cover the pan with a lid. At this point, you can add some sugar. Cover the pan with the lid. Spinach will release water and get boiled in it. You don’t need to add any water.
13. Add sautéed eggplants after 5-6 minutes.
14. Add some salt. Cook for a few minutes with the lid on.
15. Palong Shaker Ghonto is ready and serve it hot.
Pro Tips for Cooking Palong Shaker Ghonto
When you are making palong shaker ghonto there are some tips and tricks to follow:
Fresh and Tender Spinach: Choose fresh and tender spinach leaves for the best flavor and texture. Avoid using wilted or tough spinach, as it can affect the overall taste of the dish.
Proper Vegetable Preparation: Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim the stems and discard any damaged or yellow leaves. Cut the spinach leaves into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and eating.
Vegetable Selection: While spinach is the star ingredient, you can add other vegetables to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the dish. Common additions include potatoes, eggplants, pumpkin, cauliflower, radish, and ridge gourd. Choose vegetables that complement the spinach and ensure they are fresh and properly cleaned before use.
Spice Balance: Palong Shaker Ghonto is typically seasoned with a combination of spices such as turmeric, cumin, ginger, and sometimes garam masala. Pay attention to the spice balance and adjust according to your taste preferences. Be careful not to overpower the natural flavors of the vegetables.
Cooking Time: Cook the vegetables until they are tender but still retain their shape. Overcooking can result in mushy vegetables, while undercooking can leave them raw and unappetizing. Maintain a balance by checking the doneness of the vegetables periodically.
Flavors and Garnish: Feel free to experiment with additional flavors like grated coconut, roasted cumin powder, or a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the taste. These additions can add depth and freshness to the dish. Garnish the Palong Shaker Ghonto with fresh coriander leaves for a vibrant and aromatic touch.
By following these pro tips, you can elevate your Palong Shaker Ghonto cooking skills and create a flavorful and delicious dish.
What to Serve with Palong Shaker Ghonto?
Steamed Rice: Palong Shaker Ghonto pairs exceptionally well with steamed white rice. The flavorful and slightly spicy nature of the dish complements the plainness of rice, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Roti or Paratha: Serve Palong Shaker Ghonto with freshly made roti or paratha (Indian bread) for a wholesome and comforting combination. The bread can be used to scoop up the flavorful vegetable dish, adding a different texture to each bite.
Luchi: Luchi, deep-fried puffed bread, is another popular choice to accompany Palong Shaker Ghonto. The soft and fluffy luchi complements the richness of the dish, creating a delightful combination.
Khichuri: Consider serving Palong Shaker Ghonto with khichuri, a one-pot dish made with rice and lentils. The combination of the vegetable medley and the comforting texture of khichuri makes for a satisfying and hearty meal.
Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can choose the accompaniment based on your personal preferences and the overall meal experience you desire. Enjoy the delicious Palong Shaker Ghonto with your preferred combination!
How Does Palong Shaker Ghonto Taste?
Palong Shaker Ghonto is known for its delicious and distinct taste. Here’s a description of how it typically tastes:
Earthy Spinach Flavor: The dish prominently features spinach as the main ingredient, imparting a pleasant earthy and slightly bitter flavor to the overall dish. The taste of the fresh and tender spinach leaves shines through, adding a unique depth to the flavors.
Subtle Sweetness: Along with the earthiness, Palong Shaker Ghonto often has a subtle natural sweetness from the spinach and other vegetables used. This sweetness balances the overall taste profile and adds a pleasant touch.
Savory and Spiced: The dish is seasoned with a blend of spices that typically includes turmeric, cumin, ginger, and sometimes garam masala. These spices contribute to the savory and aromatic notes, providing warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
Mild Heat: Depending on personal preference, Palong Shaker Ghonto can have a mild level of heat. Green chilies or red chili powder may be added to give the dish a gentle spiciness, which complements the other flavors without overpowering them.
Vegetable Medley: The combination of spinach and other vegetables used in Palong Shaker Ghonto creates a harmonious medley of flavors. The additional vegetables such as potatoes, or eggplants contribute their own unique tastes and textures, adding variety and enhancing the overall experience.
Overall, Palong Shaker Ghonto offers a balanced and wholesome taste experience with the earthiness of spinach, the sweetness of vegetables, the savory spices, and a touch of heat. It is a comforting and flavorful dish that is enjoyed as part of a traditional Bengali meal.
Palong Shaker Ghonto Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to Palong Shaker Ghonto, here are a few options that you can consider:
Aloo Palak: Aloo Palak is a popular North Indian dish that combines potatoes and spinach. The potatoes are cooked with spinach in a flavorful blend of spices, creating a delicious and hearty vegetarian dish.
Matar Paneer: Matar Paneer is a classic Indian dish made with peas and paneer (Indian cottage cheese). The peas and paneer are cooked in a rich tomato-based gravy with aromatic spices, resulting in a creamy and satisfying dish.
Palak Paneer: Palak Paneer is another popular dish where spinach is the star ingredient. It features a creamy spinach gravy with cubes of paneer, creating a nutritious and flavorful vegetarian option.
Mixed Vegetable Curry: If you prefer a variety of vegetables in your dish, a mixed vegetable curry is a great choice. You can combine your favorite vegetables like carrots, beans, cauliflower, peas, and bell peppers in a spiced tomato-based gravy for a hearty and colorful meal.
Saag Paneer: Saag Paneer is a Punjabi dish that is similar to Palong Shaker Ghonto but with a slight variation. It uses a combination of spinach and mustard greens cooked with paneer and spices, resulting in a flavorful and vibrant dish.
These alternatives offer a similar concept of combining vegetables with leafy greens and spices to create delicious and nutritious dishes. You can choose based on your preferences and the availability of ingredients.
Recipe Card
Palong Shaker Ghonto (Spinach Ghonto)
Ingredients
- 500 grams Spinach (chopped and washed properly)
- 200 grams Flat green beans (cut and washed properly)
- 2 pieces Potatoes (cut into cubes and washed properly)
- 2 pieces Radishes (cut longitudinally and washed properly)
- 2 pieces Eggplants (cut intro small cubes and washed properly)
- 0.5 tablespoon Panchforon
- 2 pieces Dry red chillies
- 1.5 pieces Turmeric powder
- 0.5 tablespoon Coriander powder
- 0.5 tablespoon Cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon Colour Red Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Ginger paste
- 8 pieces Green Chilies
- 15 pieces Sun-dried lentil dumpling
- 3 tablespoon Mustard Oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry the lentil dumplings on a low flame until they turn golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set them aside in a bowl.
- In the same pan, add the eggplants, salt, and turmeric powder. Give them a good stir and sauté for a few minutes until they are slightly cooked. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Add more oil to the pan and add the dry red chilies and panch phoron (five-spice blend).
- Once the spices start spluttering, add the remaining vegetables to the pan and sauté them well.
- Add all the spices (turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, and red chili powder) to the vegetables. Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices. Add salt.
- Pour a little bit of water into the pan. Once it comes to a boil, add more water to make a thick gravy.
- Crush the fried dumplings and add them to the gravy.
- Add green chilies to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid.
- After a few minutes, add the spinach and some salt. Mix well.
- Cover the pan with the lid. At this point, you can add a pinch of sugar if desired. The spinach will release water, so there is no need to add any more water.
- After 5-6 minutes, add the sautéed eggplants to the pan.
- Add some more salt to taste. Cook for a few more minutes with the lid on.
- Palong Shaker Ghonto is ready! Serve it hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Info (Estimation Only)
Conclusion
Palang shaker ghonto is a popular Bengali mixed veg dish which is best prepared with various available vegetables like spinach, radish, potato, egg plant, flat beans etc and lentil dumplings.
All the vegetables are stirred fried very well to make a dry vegetable dish that goes best with rice, roti and even puri.
