Aloo choliya (Potato and Green Chickpeas Curry)

aloo choliya

So many of us have childhood memories of peeling the pods and consuming straight the seeds inside called choliya or green chickpeas.  Some people used to roast the stems containing pods over fire and get roasted choliya. Besides eating them raw, here is a recipe of choliya curry combined with aloo.

Recipe of aloo choliya

2 medium aloo (potato) - peeled and cubed

150 gms choliya (hara chana/ fresh green chickpeas)

2 tomatoes

1 onion

1 inch piece ginger

3-4 cloves garlic (optional)

2 green chillies

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

A pinch of hing (asafoetida)

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp red chilli powder (cayenne pepper)

1/4 tsp garam masala powder

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1 tbsp oil

choliya

1. Grind together onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and green chillies into a smooth paste.

2. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds. When they change color, add hing.

3. Add onion-tomato paste and all the spices and salt. Fry till oil begins to separate.

4. Add choliya and aloo. Add 2 cups of water and close the lid of the cooker. Pressure cook to 3 whistles. Serve aloo cholia hot with roti or rice.