Khatkhate (Mix Vegetable Stew)

This is a classic dish consisting of a fun and unique vegetable medley made with coconut /peanuts as the base and adding many varied spices like schezuan peppers(triphala), kokum etc. Because of all these tangy spicy flavors, khatkhate used to be my favorite dish served during festivals.

Khatkhate is also the last name of many families in konkan/coastal etc. region and also 'khat khat'o means 'boiling' in Konkani. This recipe is a slightly different version of gajbaje dish which is another coconut based vegetable stew. There is Goan khatkhate version, Marathi version, and Konkani version with slight variations (that I know of :))

While growing up, we did not get a Ganesha Idol in my house during the Chaturthi festival but we performed Vayana pooja (coconut pooja) that I celebrate and perform even to this day. This is basically praying to Gowri (Parvati, mother of Lord Ganesha). It is usually celebrated a day before Chaturthi. Most of my neighbors got Ganesha Idol and celebrated with great pomp and show. We were invited to almost 3-4 houses for pooja and lunch/dinner. It used to be great fun! As is our appetites used to be so little and imagine having meals in every house, after eating like crazy we used to get back home with huge tummy (just like Lord Ganesha :)), crash on the bed and instantly go to sleep hehe

I was totally and completely in love with my neighbor's preparation of khatkhate. She never revealed the recipe and nor was I keen on cooking and knowing stuff in my childhood/teens. Sadly she is no more now but a big thank you to my aunt who knew the recipe roughly and has passed it on to me! I was thrilled to no end :)

Can't wait to share it with you all :)
Let us take a look at the recipe:

Ingredients:
For grinding into a paste:

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 4-5 red dry chilies
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• pinch turmeric (haldi)
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 8 curry leaves
• 1/2 cup coconut grated
• 3-4 schezuan peppers (optional)
• 3-5 kokum soaked in little water ( or marble sized tamarind piece)
• salt as per taste

Steam Vegetables:

• 3 cups of vegetable mix ( beans, padwal, pumpkin, ash gourd, gherkin, carrots, raw banana, yam, potato, legumes like black eye peas, raw peas, drumsticks etc)
• pick any 4-5 kind of vegetables.
• 1-2 corn on the cob 

For tempering:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• a pinch asafoetida (hing)
• 10 curry leaves
• pinch of chilli powder

Preparation: 

• Cut all vegetables( you can pick 4-5 variety) into bite size and steam it separately. Steam corn and cut into 2-3 inch rounds and keep aside.
• In a pan add 1 tsp oil and roast coriander seeds, red dry chilies, sesame seeds, curry leaves for few minutes and add to the blender. Roast in the same pan grated coconut till its light brown and add to the blender. Next, roast the peanuts and dump it in the blender. Also, add turmeric. Make a semi-solid paste by adding little water at a time. 
• In a vessel, add this paste along with kokum water, jaggery, salt and bring to a quick boil. Now gently add all the veggies and simmer the khatkhate for 5-10 minutes. (Adjust spices like chili pwd, kokum water, jaggery as per your liking)
• Make a tempering/tadka by heating coconut oil, add mustard seeds till they splutter, add curry leaves, chilli pwd, and hing. Stir and quickly pour this into the khatkhate and close the lid so that all the smoke and flavors stay in the curry!! 
• Serve hot with Rice, Dal, Roti. Enjoy this fantastic dish and don't forget to lick your fingers in the end :P

You may also like Vali Bhaji Randai (Indian Spinach curry), Lal Bhaji Curry.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Notes*: Do not over cook the veggies when you steam or cook, because you will be cooking it further in the curry. Try to cook all the veggies separately and accordingly. If you don't have kokum, use tamarind or sour tomatoes. A different variation of Khatkhate includes adding of cooked dal to get thick consistency and dal flavor. One can also use triphala as optional. Personally, I like it with it.

Health Benefits: By adding so many vegetables one is guaranteed to get a burst of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins from it. Coconut and peanuts will give much needed good oil for boosting good cholesterol. A very filling and satisfying dish for your health.