Labra torkari recipe: pumpkin, potato, radish, aubergine and greens cooked soft with panch phoron and ginger, no onion or garlic, as served with khichuri bhog.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Cut all the vegetables to roughly the same size so they cook evenly, keeping the aubergine in a separate bowl of water so it does not darken.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Heat the mustard oil in a wide, heavy pan or kadai over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke, then lower the heat to medium.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the bay leaves, dried red chillies and panch phoron and let them crackle for 20–30 seconds, taking care that the fenugreek does not turn dark.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the potato, sweet potato and radish with a pinch of turmeric and fry over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until lightly golden at the edges.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the pumpkin, flat beans and drained aubergine and stir-fry for another 3–4 minutes.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the ginger paste, green chillies, turmeric, cumin and salt with 2 tbsp water and stir for 2 minutes until the spices coat the vegetables and smell cooked.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Pour in ½ cup water, cover and cook over low-medium heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring gently every 4–5 minutes, until the potato is tender and the pumpkin is starting to break down.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Add the greens and sugar, stir and cook uncovered for 3–4 minutes until the greens wilt and the dish is moist but not watery.
Labra, the mixed vegetable dish of the puja bhog. Photo: Rajeeb Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Labra torkari recipe: pumpkin, potato, radish, aubergine and greens cooked soft with panch phoron and ginger, no onion or garlic, as served with khichuri bhog.
Labra → Next story: Luchi and alur dom: Ashtami breakfast All photo storiesMusic: Indian Folk Classical Flute Music (1), MayankSingh33, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.