Again another vegetable I have never seen or tasted before coming in India, elephant foot yam (suran in Hindi) is a pretty huge funny looking vegetable that resembles the foot of an elephant and it tastes like sweet potatoes. It’s a healthy alternative to regular potatoes – high in Vitamin B6, omega 3 fatty acids, high in fiber and minerals like copper, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.
I still remember first time I bought and cooked yam. I kept staring at it for a couple of minutes trying to figure out how to cut this huge ugly looking vegetable.
If you are lucky to find this vegetable in your grocery store, this yam recipe is so easy and makes a delicious side dish. You can also substitute yam with sweet potato, the result will still be delicious.
Step by step roast elephant foot yam (suran) recipe
Start by cutting the yam into big pieces. Into a pan, boil enough water and add turmeric powder, salt and yam. Steam yam until soft (it will take some 10 minutes). Drain the water and keep cooked yam aside.
Into a frying pan heat some coconut oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds. Stir fry until lentils change color into yellow brown. Add hing, curry leaves, green chilli and fresh ginger. Fry for about one minute then add cooked yam, garam masala and salt. Mix well and fry for few more minutes.
Note: Fresh curry leaves are not easily available in Western markets, you can find them at your local Indian market or you can buy online on amazon
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve it as a side dish for grilled/roasted meat or as a main vegetable dish.
- 200 gm yam, sliced into big pieces;
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder;
- Optional 1 tbsp urad dal (black lentils);
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds;
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds;
- pinch of hing/asafetida;
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or finely chopped;
- 1 green chilli, chopped;
- 2 sprigs curry leaves;
- 1 tsp garam masala;
- 1/2 tsp salt or as per taste;
- coconut oil;
- water to steam yam;
- few coriander leaves, to garnish.
- Start by cutting the yam into big pieces. Into a pan, boil enough water and add turmeric powder, salt and yam. Steam yam until soft (it will take some 10 minutes). Drain the water and keep cooked yam aside.
- Into a frying pan heat some coconut oil and add mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds. Stir fry until lentils change color into yellow brown. Add hing, curry leaves, green chilli and fresh ginger. Fry for about one minute then add cooked yam, garam masala and salt. Mix well and fry for few more minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve it as a side dish for grill meat or as a main vegetable dish.
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