Within vegan Asian cuisine, there is an entire fan base for the plant-based food of India. And rightly so. Fresh herbs, deliciously natural flavours and sourced ingredients make the cuisine of Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Panjab, Maharashtra and many other states unique. If you are planning a trip to India, you must try the traditional Garhwali and Kumaoni thali, Panjab ka saag, Gujarati Undhiyu, and idli sambhar of South India. Flavours aside (though they are so delicious it's hard to put them aside), the Uttarakhand thalis are also rich in nutrition.
Also, if you plan to visit Uttarakhand for sightseeing, be sure to go on the treks there. Uttarakhand offers numerous treks that you can undertake, such as the Valley of Flowers trek, Chopta trek, and many more. For these treks, you'll need a lot of energy, and vegan food is often the best choice. It provides a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fibre.
Accidentally Vegan Traditional Indian Dishes:
The flavours of these foods are liked by almost everyone - they are not too spicy or mild, all the ingredients are right in amount. Here’s a list of a few traditional Indian dishes that are also accidentally vegan:
1. Baingan Bharta:
This smoky and flavourful dish features roasted and mashed eggplant cooked with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices. Baingan Bharta is a favorite in many Indian households, celebrated for its earthy flavours and rustic charm.
2. Chainsoo:
Chainsoo is a dish full of protein made from black gram lentils. This dish of Uttrakhand focuses on sustenance and nutrition. To prepare this dish, the lentils are converted into powder and then cooked in spices. This dish is not only tasty but it is also rich in energy which is good for people living or visiting the hilly region and surviving in the cold weather of the region.
3. Kafuli:
Kafuli is a green vegetable that is good for health. This dish is prepared with ingredients like mustard greens, fenugreek, and spinach. Along with being visually appealing, this dish is also rich in nutrition. This green curry is cooked in curd and local spices, it creates a wonderful blend that represents the regional palate.
4. Phaanu:
This is also a lentil-based dish that represents Uttarakhand's culinary diversity. The cooking process of this dish includes soaking mixed lentils, grounding, and then they are cooked in local spices. This dish is cooked traditionally overnight in an iron pot, this process of cooking allows the dish to soak in the flavour of spices and gives it a good texture.
As a result of this preparation, the dish looks thick, flavourful, and wholesome. You can eat this with chapati and rice.
5. Misal Pav( Maharashtra):
A spicy and flavourful curry made from sprouted lentils, cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. It is served with pav (soft bread rolls) and garnished with chopped onions, coriander, farsan (crispy fried snacks), and lemon wedges. Misal Pav is a popular street food dish in Maharashtra.
6. Aloo Posto:
A traditional Bengali dish consisting of potatoes cooked in poppy seed paste, flavoured with mustard oil, green chilies, and nigella seeds. Aloo Posto is a simple yet delicious dish often served with rice and is popular in Bengali households, especially during festive occasions.
7. Gujarati Undhiyu:
Undhiyu, a cherished delicacy from Gujarat, is a vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables like potatoes, eggplant, beans, and green peas, infused with aromatic spices and enriched with fresh herbs. Traditionally savoured during winter, it pairs harmoniously with puri (deep-fried bread), offering a symphony of flavours and textures.
8. Bhang ki chutney:
Hemp seeds are the main ingredient of bhang ki chutney, which is one of the unique dishes of Uttarakhand. To create a lip-smacking balance of salty tanginess these seeds are combined with cumin, lemon, and dry red chillies.
This chutney is popular with the main course and it is made every day in all Kumaoni households. This dish is made from seeds so you don’t have to worry about it containing any psychoactive components as they are present in the leaves and buds of the plant.
10. Kafuli:
Kafuli is a delicious and nutritious traditional Garhwali spinach curry dish made in Uttarakhand. This is a unique dish that is served with the main course as a side dish. Preparation of this includes cooking fenugreek and spinach leaves until they get soft and then they are blitzed together to create a thick paste. Then, organic spices are added to enhance the flavor of this dish, they are then thickened with rice flour. This dish is a delicious and nutritious Pahadi dish and it does not contain any vegetables, it is just a simple wholesome dish loved by the Garhwali people.
11. Bal mithai:
Bal mithai is one of the most popular sweet dishes in Uttarakhand, this is one of the well-known desserts in India. You can find this delicious Kumaoni local dish in every shop in Uttarakhand. This dessert is made by using khoya which gives it a fudgy texture and brown colour. This sweet is coated in poppy seeds or tiny balls of white sugar and it is cut up into small pieces. This dish looks very aesthetic and can be recognized easily among all the other sweet collections. This sweet is wrapped in oak leaves before serving and it is a special dish of Almora district.
12. Baadi:
Baadi is one of the Pahadi Delicacies that is most famous in Uttarakhand. This dish is made using Kuttu and Buckwheat, it adds a good texture and earthy flavour to this dish which makes it filling. This dish is easy to make and it is also full of nutrients.
This dish makes you feel warm from the inside in the harsh winter weather, which is one of the factors that makes it a special Uttarakhand dish. Baadi can be consumed with Phaanu or Gahat ki dal and it is also one of the easiest dishes along with the added advantage of it being a vegan dish.
13. Garhwal ka fannah:
This is a dish prepared in almost all the houses of Uttarakhand. This dish is wholesome to the stomach and pleasing to one’s eyes. To prepare this dish the lentils are soaked overnight and for garnishing salt, ginger garlic paste, red chili paste, and coriander are used. This dish looks like a north Indian dish “dal makhani” but it tastes more delicious than dal makhani because it is prepared using organic beans and lentils.
14. Aloo Tamatar ka Jhol:
There are different versions of potato and tomato curry in every state of India. Same as in any other country in India Aloo Tamatar curry is prepared, in this the curry is thin like water. The potatoes are sliced thinly to make this dish and it is lightly spiced which also makes it an ideal dish for breakfast. This dish can also be consumed during fasting and people who prefer vegan food can also eat this dish. This dish can be simply prepared by using chillies, onion, tomato puree, fenugreek seeds, garlic, and cumin seeds. This dish can be consumed with white rice or hot puris. This is a simple-to-make and delicious dish.
15. Bhatwani:
This is another traditional dish of Uttarakhand and this dish is prepared using bhatt ki dal which is grown in only this region. Black dal and Pahari dal are known for their healthy properties and unique taste. This dal is rare to find and it is only available in the high altitude of Kumaon. This is one of the best types of dal in Uttarakhand which is rich in protein and nutrients. This dal's benefits include weight loss, muscle growth, diabetes management, and digestion improvement.
16. Gahat ki dal:
If we talk about the healthy and delicious dals of Uttarakhand, then the list may never end. Each dal has its unique taste and flavour. This dal is one of the comfort and mood-lifting dishes of Uttarakhand. There are so many benefits of spices and herbs used in the preparation of this dish.
The ingredients used in this dish are Gahat dal, turmeric, ghee, garlic, salt, ginger, and rice flour. There are several health benefits of this dish like improving digestion, reducing cholesterol, weight loss, and helping eye-related problems.
17. Palak Paneer (Vegan Version):
Traditionally made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), this vegan rendition substitutes paneer with tofu or potatoes, retaining the dish's essence. Palak Paneer combines creamy spinach gravy with aromatic spices, resulting in a luscious and nutritious delight.
18. Idli with Sambar and Coconut Chutney:
Hailing from South India, Idli is a steamed rice cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Served with savory lentil-based sambar and coconut chutney, this light and nutritious meal is a breakfast favourite across the country.
Wrap Up: Traditional Indian Dishes That are Vegan
There are many types of dishes in India, and surely something for everyone. Whilst it is famous for being a vegetarian destination, veganism is a step further when it comes to ethics, and may not be always understood. But as this blog post shows there are still many delicious options. The food is usually prepared with fresh ingredients and organic spices which enhances the flavours of the dish. These dishes are delicious and rich in nutrition (full of proteins because of legumes, mostly lentils). The preparation is done in a very authentic and hygienic manner - handmade is heartmade, as they say! If you are someone who loves to try different cuisines then you’ll love these lip-smacking traditional Indian dishes that are 100% plant-based.
FAQs
Q1. What are traditional Indian dishes?
India has many traditional dishes, Besan Chilla, Poha, Muthia, Vadas, Idli, Sabudana Khichdi, etc.
Q2. What is 100% vegan food?
A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.
Q3. what is included in a Garhwali thali?
In a Garhwali Thali, you will get Aloo ke Gutke, bhang ki chutney, rajma, some papad, and Gahat ki dal.
Q4. What is a vegan street food you must try in Uttarakhand?
If we talk about street food then you must try Kumaoni dal Vadas in Uttarakhand.
Q5. What do the people of Uttarakhand consume most, rice or wheat?
People residing in Uttarakhand prefer wheat more than rice.
Q6. Which rice is famous in Uttarakhand?
In Uttarakhand, people prefer the traditional basmati rice of Dehradun, which is the capital city of Uttarakhand.
India has many traditional dishes, Besan Chilla, Poha, Muthia, Vadas, Idli, Sabudana Khichdi, etc.
Q2. What is 100% vegan food?
A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts, and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.
Q3. what is included in a Garhwali thali?
In a Garhwali Thali, you will get Aloo ke Gutke, bhang ki chutney, rajma, some papad, and Gahat ki dal.
Q4. What is a vegan street food you must try in Uttarakhand?
If we talk about street food then you must try Kumaoni dal Vadas in Uttarakhand.
Q5. What do the people of Uttarakhand consume most, rice or wheat?
People residing in Uttarakhand prefer wheat more than rice.
Q6. Which rice is famous in Uttarakhand?
In Uttarakhand, people prefer the traditional basmati rice of Dehradun, which is the capital city of Uttarakhand.
