Echore Kosha (Green Jackfruit Curry - Bengali Style)

          This is a typical Bengali style curry, where I have added some green peas (which is purely optional) and omitted potatoes (for health reason). But you may add if preferred. It is almost a dry preparation with very little gravy and can be relished with hot steamed rice, pulao, chapati or paratha. It also tastes yummy with some hot pooris. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple homemade delicacy.

          Green jackfruit is also known as a vegetarian mutton. It is very much enjoyed in most of the Indian states. It is also liked by many of the Bengalis, including me. The cleaning and chopping is a bit tough, but it is worth it. 

          It is prepared both in the veg. and non-veg. version. In the former it is cooked with bori or dried lentil dumplings and in the latter, with prawns, fish head or mutton liver. But generally, it is always cooked with few potatoes thrown in. 

          This humble veggie is also used to make koftas or cutlets for an evening tea time snack or can be relished as an appetizer with sauce.

• 1 small raw / green jackfruit, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup green peas (opt)
• 3 tbsp. mustard oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp. tomato paste / puree of 1 tomato
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 2 green chilies (opt)
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil and sauté the jackfruit till light brown. Drain and keep aside. In a small bowl, mix together ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste and all the dry spices with some water and keep aside for 5 minutes. 

          Heat remaining oil and temper with bay leaves, red chilies, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds. Add the onion and sauté till light brown. 

         Now add the spice paste and stir fry till the oil separates. Then add the fried jackfruit followed by the green peas and green chilies. Give it a stir and add 1 cup water.

          Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles. When done, add ghee and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve as a side dish with either hot steamed rice, chapati, poori or paratha.

                                Heat 1 tbsp. oil & sauté jackfruit till light brown. 

                   Heat remaining oil & temper with bay leaves, red chilies, cinnamon, 
                   cardamom, cloves & cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds. 

                                  Add onion & sauté till light brown. 

                                 Add spice paste & stir fry till oil separates. 

                                Then add fried jackfruit....

                                 followed by green peas & green chilies.

                                  Add 1 cup water.

                           Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles. When done, add ghee & mix well. 

                     Garnish with coriander leaves & serve with either hot steamed rice, 
                     chapati, poori or paratha.