YAM CURRY / OLER DALNA

In our community, Yam is quite a favourite. We have all the varieties of it and perhaps cook all the parts of it, leaves, stems and what not. The leaves are usually used to do steamed stuffs, say spiced fish or veggies wrapped in it's leaves and steamed. We make a bharta of the leaves too! We prepare yam items either with fish head or small prawns or at times just keep it as a vegetarian side. The place I stay now, has all the variety of yam in offer as people here too love it. I love to have their steamed yam cakes topped with a unique sweet n chilli sauce. I never tried to make it at home though. My favourite of all the yam dishes is this simple curry with our regular spices. They say eating yam is good for health as it purifies the blood. I do not know how much truth is there in it, I have it just for the love of it. I have seen my mother adding small prawns to this curry at times. I preferred to keep this curry a vegetarian one this time. We call it Oler Dalna. Let us prepare this all vegetarian Yam Curry / Oler Dalna together. Ol is the Suran / Elephant Foot Yam variety!

INGREDIENTS :

Ol [Suran /Elephant Foot Yam] : 250gm
Ginger Paste : 2tsp
Cumin Powder : 1tsp
Coriander Powder : 1/2tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1tsp
Turmeric Powder : 1tsp
Cinnamon Powder : 2pinches
Cardamom Powder : A pinch
Cloves Powder : A pinch
Cumin Seed : 1/4 tsp
Salt : As Required

Sugar : 1 tsp
Bayleaf : 1
Ghee : 1tsp
Oil : 2tsp

METHOD :

Peel and cut the big chunk of yum into smaller cubes. Wash them and rub with salt and turmeric.

Heat the oil in a wok. Fry the yam pieces in batches. Keep aside.

Temper the same oil with a bayleaf and cumin seeds. Add the ginger paste and fry for 1-2 minutes.

Add the cumin powder, salt, turmeric, coriander powder, chilli powder. Saute for 1/2 a minute. Add the fried pieces of yum. Fold in well and stir for a minute.

Add a cup of water. Boil for 3-5 minutes. Add the sugar, slitted green chillies, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves powder, ghee and cook for another 1 minute.

Serve hot with steamed rice or Indian breads.