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Home » Cooking from Books » Ker Sangri / Traditional Rajasthani Sabzi

Ker Sangri / Traditional Rajasthani Sabzi

Published: Jul 31, 2019 Modified: Aug 28, 2020 By Sujata Shukla This blog generates income via ads. This post may contain affiliate links. PepperOnPizza may earn a commission for purchases made after clicking these links. View our disclosure policy for details

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A white plate with scalloped edges with brown coloured dry vegetable curry , Ker Sangri, of berries and beans with lotus stem. A box showing a lid with a painted elephant on an orange background and silver coloured work all around and a plate of roasted pappad, in the background.https://www.PepperOnPizza.com

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Ker Sangri Sabji, a traditional dry curry from Rajasthan’s dessert regions. An interesting and tasty dish from ingredients I sourced online. 

A plate of brown coloured  dry Indian Rajasthani curry, Ker sangri, with lotus stem slices, berries and bean pods, laid on a white serving dish with scalloped edges
Rajasthani Ker Sangri

The monthly theme based challenge of the Shhhh Cooking Secretly group has helped me to explore the cuisines of every part of India. Trying to decide on a dish which fits into the theme, and which includes the 2 secret ingredients the partner for the month stipulates, can be a tough exercise. Take for example, this Ker Sangri that I prepared for the Rajasthani cuisine for July 2019. I wanted to make something uniquely Rajasthani and yet a little different and special.

My partner for the month, Sharanya (more about her, later) had suggested Amchur powder (Mango Powder) and Ajwain (Fennel Seeds) as the 2 ingredients I needed to use in the recipe. This was not a problem as these two spices are used widely in Rajasthan's cuisine and there were a number of suitable recipes. But to find something a little uncommon or unusual (at least to those of us who are not from the area and are more familiar with dal baati churma or kadhi or gatte ki sabzi - yes, that was the actual challenge.

About Ker Sangri from Rajasthan's Thar Desert Area

Idly searching my cookbook collection and recipes for Rajasthani cuisine online, I came across this little gem. Ker sangri. Both ker and sangri are from the Thar desert area where you don't find much of green vegetation. The ker and khejri trees however, are able to survive and flourish in this difficult environment, thrusting their roots deep into the earth for precious water. Ker berries are from the ker tree, and sangri are the pods or 'beans' from the khejri tree. The berries and pods grow only for a short period during the year, and hence they are plucked and dried for use during those times when no vegetables are available to add to the cooking pot. Here is an account I found interesting and informative, a traveler's tale on the kair sangri curry and you may like it too!

 

Ker Sangri is popularly made into a pickle (which sounds delicious from what Ive read, but I haven't tasted this so far). Once I started browsing recipes, I found there were different ways of making ker sangri. I have broadly adapted a recipe from this little book I discovered, called Marwari Kitchen. The recipe however did not require the cooked ker and sangri to be sauteed, but to be added to the tempering, and I deviated from this process. The recipe in the Marwari Kitchen also had Lotus root/ stem (I never know what to call it) or kamal kakdi, and this sounded interesting.

One popular way of using ker and sangri is in the 5 ingredient Panchkuta Sabji, that is made from dried ker, sangri, gunda (gum berry/ chorda myxa), kumat (seeds of the acacia fruit) and dry mango slices. I wanted to make this, but I was able to locate only ker and sangri online for purchase. When I do get hold of the other ingredients, I will make this Panchkuta sabji which sounds very tasty too.

Rajasthani Ker Sangri, a brown coloured curry of dried berries and bean pods, in a white bowl. A book, Marawari Kitchen in the background and a dull grey napkin on the side

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                          I have a sneaky feeling that the recipe in the book referred to, intended to use Gunda as the ingredients listed 'Lotus stem/ gunda', and perhaps mistook this to be the Hindi/ Rajasthani name for kamal kakdi. All my reading up has suggested, as I have explained above, that gunda actually refers to seeds of the acacia fruit, found in the desert region. The lotus root did taste very good when included in the sabzi, and added to the texture too, so I decided to go with this version, though I am not sure that a traditional recipe for ker sangri would include Lotus Root. I would love to get this clarified by my Rajasthani readers!

Keeping in mind that this dish is prepared at times when there are no fresh vegetables available in the desert regions, I have not put in green chilies, coriander leaves etc. Only dried vegetables, dry spices and spice powders are used, along with a little curd.

As I had said earlier, I had made this dish for Shhh Cooking Secretly Challenge FB Group. My partner for the month, Sharanya, blogs at Sara's Tasty Buds. If you visit her blog you will find a variety of recipes from this versatile Food Blogger. I specially liked and would like to try out her Kongu Recipes, from Tamil Nadu's Kongunadu region, as my family are from the same region too!

When I discussed the theme to give her the names of 2 ingredients, she explained that sourcing non-local ingredients is difficult for her as the online deliveries are not reliable. I therefore suggested channa dal (Bengal gram) and Ghee which are usually available in any Indian kitchen. You can see how she has made good use of these ingredients and had prepared a traditional Dal Baati Churma. This is one of my favourite meals when I visit Rajasthan. Dal Batti with ghee and with a large glass of chaas!

This Post is sent to the Event Shhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge, for the theme Rajasthani Cuisine. 

A little about this group: This was started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes and is now administered by Mayuri Shah of Mayuri's Jikoni.

Each month the member food bloggers are paired up and give each other the names of 2 secret ingredients to cook with, according to the theme for the month. If you’re interested in joining this exciting group then please leave a message in the comments!

Logo for shhh cooking secretly challenge group

Other Indian Recipes You May Like on this Blog

Bharwa Karela: Bitter Gourd Stuffed with Raw Mango and Onion

Process shot: Small bitter gourds stuffed with mustard coloured raw mango and onion filling, ready to be cooked

A plate of brown fried dry vegetables, Ker Sangri (berries and beans) and lotus stem slices on a long white plate with scalloped edges. A silver edged box and roasted pappad in the background

Ker Sangri with Lotus Root / Tradtional Rajasthani Subzi

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, Rajasthani
Keyword: Ker Berries, Ker Sangri, Lotus Stem, Rajasthani Sabzi, Sangri Beans
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Soaking Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Author: Sujata Shukla
A recipe from desert areas of Rajasthan, only dry ingredients are used, such as basic Indian spices as well as ker berry and sangri beans which are dried and stored for use when fresh vegetables, herbs and greens are not available. Raisins and dried mango add a subtle sweet and tangy taste.
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker
  • Frying pan
  • Colander

Ingredients

For Soaking Overnight

  • 3 cups Dry Sangri Beans - 100 grams
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Sunflower oil - or other vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2.5 tablespoons Dry Ker / Kari/ Kair Berries - 25 grams
  • Water (for soaking, rinsing)

For Pressure Cooking

  • 1 Lotus root/ stem
  • Soaked, rinsed, drained Sangri - (as above)
  • Soaked, rinsed, drained Ker - (as above)

For Making Ker Sangri Sabzi

  • 3 tablespoons Sunflower Oil - or other vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon Rai /Mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Jeera / Cumin Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Saunf / Fennel Seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon Ajwain / Carom Seeds
  • 3 -4 Dry Red Chilies
  • ¼ teaspoon Hing / Asafoetida Powder
  • 3 tablespoons Dry Raw Mango strips - Sliced
  • ½ teaspoon Haldi Turmeric Powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons Kashmiri Red Chili Powder / Degchi Mirch
  • 2 teaspoons Dhania / Coriander Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Amchur / Dry Mango Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder - optional
  • 2 tablespoon Curd / Plain yogurt - Beaten curd
  • 2 teaspoons Raisins
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt - or to taste

Instructions

To Soak Ingredients Overnight

  • Rinse Sangri, drain it and add water about 1" above the surface of the sangri. Add turmeric powder, oil and salt as listed in ingredients above, and stir. Soak overnight or for about 8 hours
  • Rinse the Ker 3-4. You will find a sooty grey dust-like material coming from the Ker. Drain, and soak overnight (or for about 8 hours) with water about ½" above the surface of the Ker berries.

To Pressure Cook Ker Sangri and Lotus Root

  • Take one long Lotus root/ stem. Peel it and slice into rounds. Keep the peeled root soaked in water till you slice it as it easily discolours. As you slice, Immediately place the slices in a bowl of water.
  • Drain the soaked ker berries and sangri beans and rinse again. Drain and place in a pressure cooker. Add drained lotus root slices.
    Add sufficient water to cover the surface of the ker, sangri. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Let the cooker cool on its own.

Preparation:

  • Once the pressure cooker has let off steam, open and drain the vegetables. Rinse and drain once more. Set aside till required.
    Slice the mango strips into small thin pieces
    Measure and keep all ingredients ready for making the ker sangri sabzi

To Make Ker Sangri with Lotus Root Sabzi

  • Heat oil in a pan. Keeping the heat on low, add mustard seeds and once they crackle, add cumin/ jeera seeds.
    Add Fennel/ saunf seeds and Carrom/ ajwain seeds.
    Remove the stalks from the red chilies and saute for a few seconds, turning the chilies in the pan so that both sides are fried.
    Add Asafoetida/ hing powder. Add the raw mango slices.
    Saute for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add the pressure cooked and drained ker, sangri, lotus root. Stir
  • Keeping the heat on low, add turmeric powder, kashmiri red chili powder / degchi mirch, coriander powder, mango powder / amchur, mustard powder (if using) and stir well. Saute for 1 minute
  • Beat the curd with a whisk or fork and add. Stir it into the sauteed masala.
    Add Raisins and salt. Stir
    Saute and let the sabzi cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently as the masala powders tend to stick to the bottom of the pan and char. Scrape any masala you find sticking to the pan.
    No water is added while cooking the ker sangri.
    Remove from the heat, transferring the sabzi to a serving vessel.
    Serve with rice and dal and roti. It tastes amazing with poori too.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Batter Up With Sujata says

    August 26, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    Never tasted it. Ker sangri curd and the spices you have used sounds delicious. Always loved your detailed write up about ingredients and recipes of different cuisine. I will surely try it on my next Rajasthan visit.

    Reply
  2. Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says

    August 18, 2019 at 5:44 am

    Sujata, your dedication to go to the deepest extent of clarification is so valuable. I loved the way you have dug out the difference between the different gunta. On a different note this recipe looks so exciting and will rely on this if I ever find these ingredients here.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:46 am

      That's so nice of you, Seema, to go through the post and tell me what you liked! This is an interesting subzi, very different in taste from what I usually make. The ingredients are not easy to get though!

      Reply
  3. Vasusvegkitchen says

    August 16, 2019 at 5:15 am

    Ker Sangiri looks tasty and sounds very interesting. This is new recipe that I never heard, would love to taste it, d't know whether it's available here in chennai. I even never tasted lotus stem too, very well explained the recipe di👌

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 17, 2019 at 11:23 am

      Thank you so much! I got the ingredients online, and have given a link in the post, to the brand I tried out!

      Reply
  4. namscorner18 says

    August 13, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    Wow such a interesting recipe from Rajasthani cuisine. Hats off to you to try something different from usual and also letting us know about these wonderful things. Sabzi looks so delicious.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 17, 2019 at 11:22 am

      Thank you so much. I try to keep my blog interesting!

      Reply
  5. Ashima says

    August 13, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    I've had ker sangri so many times in Jodhpur and Jaipur but we don't find Ker or Sangri here 🙁 Going home soon and I can't wait to try this. You've really put in a lot of effort in making the dish authentic. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 17, 2019 at 11:21 am

      More and more ingredients are beginning to be available online now, and this helps when we want to try out different recipes, isn't it!

      Reply
  6. poonampagar says

    August 12, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    This is an entirely new dish to me . Loved the way you have given minute details of the recipe, right from soaking to cleaning and cooking the subji. Would definitely love to try out this unique and traditional Rajasthani dish.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 17, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Thank you Poonam! I thought details would be helpful to users, as I had a lot of doubts myself, while preparing the subzi!

      Reply
  7. Renu Agrawal Dongre says

    August 12, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    Wonderful read about how ker sangri originated or why it is very common in Rajasthan. This is a must in marwari weddings. Yes pickles are also made using it and I love ker ka achar. The sabji looks quite delicious and bursting full of flavours. You have done 100 percent justice to the dish.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 17, 2019 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much, Renu! I have yet to try the pickle, must do that too!

      Reply
  8. mayurisjikoni says

    August 11, 2019 at 10:47 am

    An interesting read Sujata about both Ker and Sangri. I'd tasted a dry preparation of both in a restaurant in Jaipur some years back and found it really interesting. I cannot remember the name of the cookery show but Chef Kunal Kapur went to villages to learn out to make authentic pickles and Ker sangri gunda was one of them. Gujaratis tend to use gundas a lot for pickles.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 11, 2019 at 11:22 am

      Thank you Mayuri. I've yet to try the pickle form of ker sangri. Im sure it would be very tasty. Must try.

      Reply
  9. jayashreetrao says

    August 10, 2019 at 1:30 pm

    This looks tasty and something different for me. I need to try it sometime soon. Thanks for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 10, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you, Jayashree. It was new for me too!

      Reply
  10. FoodTrails says

    August 08, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    It's been ages since I had ker sangri.. loved going through your post that brought back memories of my stay in Rajasthan, where college friends used to bring this traditional subzi for boarders. Very nicely explained recipe with steps on how clean and use it.. so helpful for someone who will be trying out this for the first time.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 09, 2019 at 6:28 pm

      Thank you so much, Swaty! As I was making it for the first time, I had to learn and thought others may find these tips useful too!

      Reply
  11. sharanya palanisshami says

    August 08, 2019 at 5:01 pm

    I was happy to be partnered with you sujatha. You took lot of effort in making this recipe.... I am proud of your effort . Thank you for making this traditional curry .....

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 09, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you Sharanya! It was nice being your partner for this theme! And thanks for the ingredients which made it easy for me to pick the recipe to use them in!

      Reply
  12. themadscientistskitchen says

    August 08, 2019 at 4:16 pm

    Just recently at the BM meet I tasted ker sangri. It tasted good but I am not sure about my family liking it. I always wanted to try making ker sangri but sourcing it online did not occur to me. Thanks for the tip.
    As for the recipe I like the idea of using lotus stem. Now I am definitely trying the recipe out.

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 09, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      Thank you Archana! It tasted very good with poori!

      Reply
  13. Priya says

    August 07, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    Ooh...its been such a long time time that in had ker sangri...after reading your description.. want to have it right away..lovely share

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 09, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      Thank you, Priya!

      Reply
  14. sizzlingtastebuds says

    August 05, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    very interesting to read the take on the Ker Sangri. this is one of hubby's fav dishes from Rajasthan and my Marwari neighbour makes sure to send me a batch of this every time she makes it. Now I have an authentic recipe on ur blog to refer, Akka !

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 06, 2019 at 11:17 am

      Thank you so much Kalyani! I do hope you try it out and let me know how it was. The lotus root is probably not part of the authentic recipe though, as I have explained in my post.

      Reply
  15. shobhakeshwani says

    August 05, 2019 at 11:43 am

    I love this sabzi.. tastes so yummy specially when made with mustard oil. Divine !

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 05, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you Shobha. First time for me, and it was great! Such a different taste!

      Reply
  16. The Girl Next Door says

    August 02, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    Wow, the Ker Sangri looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I love these unusual yet traditional recipes that you come up with. Can't wait to order my stash of ker sangri online and try this out at home. 🙂

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 03, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      Thank you Priya! I'm learning so much about traditional Indian recipes!

      Reply
  17. Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says

    July 31, 2019 at 6:18 pm

    Very very interesting! I like how you always want to explore unknown territories, it terrifies me still... thanks to my family... hehe... I am not sure where I can find this vegetable. Looks and sounds very intriguing...

    Reply
    • Sujata Shukla says

      August 01, 2019 at 10:21 am

      Thank you Rafeeda! I do like experimenting with ingredients I have not used before. I found these on a site called spiceplatter.com, however delivery is only in India, so far as I can see. Amazon also has these items.

      Reply

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Hello from Sujata Shukla, the Author, Owner, Head Cook and Bottle washer at PepperOnPizza.com. The recipes I share with you are from fresh produce, vegetarian except for the occasional egg, usually made from scratch. Traditional Indian, specially Tamil recipes are my forte, along with a slew of Salads and Soups for a healthy lifestyle. Check out my Author Page!

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