Capsicum Zunka

The first time I came across zunka was at Anthony’s Banchelor Kitchen. What drew me toward this dish was its simplicity, as with most of the Maharashtrian dishes. Personally, I am not a big fan of besan/chickpea flour, but the picture was tempting enough to give it a try once.

When I tried making it, I realized that besan takes longer to cook and more oil too. So the next time around I roasted the flour before hand. This way it took less time and oil making me one happy and proud cook.

Ingredients

Capsicum – 3, cut into 1 inch squares
Onion – 1, finely chopped
Besan or chickpea flour or gram flour – 2 heaped tbsp
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Chilli powder – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric – ¼ tsp
Salt
Oil

Method

In a pan, roast chickpea flour until lightly browned and aromatic. Set aside.

In the same pan, heat oil, splutter mustard seeds, and add onions. Sauté for a minute and add capsicum and salt. When capsicum is half done, add chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric. Combine well and sprinkle roasted besan. Mix everything together, cover and cook on a low flame, until the capsicum is cooked and the spices don’t smell raw, for another 10 minutes. You can sprinkle water or add more oil while the capsicum is cooking.

Capsicum Zunka

This goes to Nupur’s Z of A-Z Indian Vegetables. It is sad that this series has come to an end, but, I am sure Nupur has other exciting plans for us in the future. It has been a fun ride. Thanks Nupur!

44 comments:

Savithri said...

Mmmm that looks delicious. As always your pictures are amazing!!

Tee said...

Adding capsicum to the Zunka is a neat idea. Your Zunka looks simple yet Elegant! :)

Nupur said...

This is a timeless dish...simple and tasty, and in your hands, it looks incredible! The colors are simply glowing.

musical said...

Riot of colors, Suganya! those pics look so gorgeous!! very different and delicious zunka recipe!

marriedtoadesi.com said...

Love the name Zunka! Cool recipe(and pictures of course!).

Kanchana

archana said...

I liked your tip of roasting the besan first. Its the best thing to avoid too much oil :)Your pictures are mind blowing.The white bowls and green capsicum popping out gr8!!

Suma Gandlur said...

As Nupur said, everything looks magical in your hands.
Yesterday, when I was searching for zunka recipes, I came across this one. Every recipe I looked had half a cup of besan added and I too was wondering, how that besan fits into a dry dish.

bee said...

capsicum zunka is always a winner. good choice.

indosungod said...

Looks lovely. Maybe I will give this recipe a go when I harvest my Green delights.

KD said...

Yummmmy.....what's Zunka? I'm definetely gonna give this one a try :)

Sharmi said...

that name is sure a hit. the pics are awesome as always.

Laavanya said...

What a burst of colors and that's a really good tip about roasting besan.

bha said...

never seen such a colorful zunka ever.....pics are amazing

Suganya said...

Thank you Savithri and Tee

Nupur *blush*

You call that a riot, Musical. But after taking that shot, we did a hamla ;)

Kanchana, That was my first reaction when I heard it too.

Thank you Archana.

Suma, besan combines with capsicum as it gets cooked. That is the beauty of this dish.

It is Bee. Thank you :)

ISG, Do try 'em. With home-grown produce they should have a superior taste.

Komal, Zunka is the method of preparation.

Sharmi, Lavanya, Bhags, Thank you very much.

Dee said...

Zunka is olur favourite too:)

Meeta K. Wolff said...

Exceptional! Easy and delish. Just the way it should be!

SeeC said...

You always come up with a different name (atleast different to me). Excellent pictures !

BTW I have given a link to your blog from mine. Hope it is fine with you.

Sia said...

love that splash of colour on my screen:) just beautiful... i haven't made zunka till now. gonna try it sometime soon.

Viji said...

Suganya I think there are enough cups to share. Love to have one cup of Zunka. Beautiful Viji

Kajal said...

Simple but tasty dish.....Every body like this Zunka....Great idea.:)

USHA said...

Looks delicious.....wonderful presentation...Thanks for sharing.

Richa said...

so colorful! one of my favs :)

FH said...

OOH! My fave dish and so easy too.I saw Anita made Methi Zunka ,now I got two!:)
Thanks Suganya.

Bong Mom said...

I made this after gettimng to know from some blogs and now everyone love it at home. Only I thought it was called "perun bhaji"

Priyanka said...

Oh thats so amazing... the flavor of capsicum with zunka must have tasted just out of the world....

Manasi said...

Oh YUM!! What pix!! This is an all time fav!!

Suganya said...

Dee, A dish that simple should be everyone's fav.

Meeta, Its simple as simple can get.

SeeC, This is an age-old Maharashtrian dish. I dint make that name up just to post a Z entry :D

Sia, You will be hooked.

Viji, Pick which one u want :)

Thank you Kajal, Richa and Usha.

Asha, I even remember seeing methi zunka at Ashwini's.

Sandeepa, Even I learnt this dish from other blogs. Whatever it is called, it is tasty.

True Priyanka, Capsicum does tastes out of this world. I have never tried zunka with any other vegetable for this reason :)

Thank you Manasi!

Sig said...

Beautiful presentation Suganya... Nice colors and a great recipe!

A, mama of twins said...

You drive me mad with your gorgeous pictures. Can you publish some tips and tricks for us? I would follow it step by step if you would.

The Zunka Zunka looks goods. I love bell peppers and the recipe easy!

Roopa said...

i love this dish the roasted capsicum with besan blends very well right!:)

Dhana said...

This one is a true classic!

Bharathy said...

Easy to make,colorful and pretty :)....Zunka,have never heard of that...fine entry for the event..for that last letter..:)..

..did I forget to say something bout the pics??;)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photo Suganya -- that really leaps off the screen! :) Zunka is a dish I have yet to try but it's tempting me now.

Coffee said...

Fab pic!!!
I have a similar one at mine too! :)

Latha said...

Looks delicious Suganya. Love your pictures. Wish you could give us some tips :-)
Cheers
Latha

Cynthia said...

I was only gone for a short while and changed the header :) looks great. This is the first time I am hearing of this dish. What does the chickpea flour do for/to it?

Bharathy said...

..the new header with the Blog name and pics are toooo good..:)

sunita said...

'Zunka' is definitely new for me...it definitely has a ring to it...the dish looks really nice though ...simple and colourful.

Suganya said...

Cynthia, Chickpea flour imparts a signature flavour to the dish. It also absorbs the moisture from the vege and makes it dry.

Saju said...

Lovely, I have never had it before, but looks so tasty I have added it to my list of must cook soon!

Anonymous said...

sorry i am late here.this is simple and looking delicious and ur pics r perfect.

Prema Sundar said...

I have tried this sometime from laksmi's blog I think so... simple recipe and tasted great too, But I did not know the name as zunka.looks colourful and nice.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sugnya, Congrats for the dmblgitjuly2007, that was a great snap..way to go girl

Padma said...

Thats looks great! I love Zunka

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