Bengali Potato & Zucchini Curry

We love Indian food and when the opportunity arose to prepare a dish from Silk Road Vegetarian, I was excited! The delightful fragrance of the spices had my mouth watering while I was cooking this dish, and the final result was delicious. I would suggest preparing the Raita several hours prior to cooking the curry, so it will be nice and chilled. The ingredients are all easily obtainable and the recipe not too complex; however, it all comes together in a wonderful melange of flavors that will please anyone craving a tasty Indian dish!

Bengali Potato & Zucchini Curry 

by Judy
adapted from Silk Road Vegetarian by Dahlia Abraham-Klein

Prep time: 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes for standing
Cook time: 50 minutes
Serves 4

2 zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 Tablespoons oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
4 Tablespoons water
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Basmati rice for serving
Raita (recipe below)

Combine the zucchini, potatoes, turmeric, and garlic salt in a large bowl and toss gently. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium heat, saute the zucchini and potato mixture for about 7 minutes or until slightly golden.

Remove the zucchini and potato mixture with a slotted spoon, keeping as much oil in the pan as possible. Set mixture aside on a platter.

Return the same skillet to the stove and reduce heat to medium. Saute the garlic, ginger, ground ginger, curry powder and cumin, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant.

Add the tomatoes, water, sugar, and salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until boiling. Add the zucchini and potato mixture, reduce heat and simmer covered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Serve over rice and with Raita.

Raita 

by Judy
adapted from Silk Road Vegetarian by Dahlia Abraham-Klein

1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
2 green onions, chopped
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh mint, for garnish

Dry roast the cumin seeds in a skillet for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Combine cucumber, yogurt, onions, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Crush cumin seeds with a mallet or the back of a large spoon and add to cucumber-yogurt mixture. Serve chilled, garnished with mint.