Germination of Sweet potato Leaves |
Kanda Bhaji (Sweet Potato Leaves)
Scientific Name - Ipomoea Batata
Is Sweet Potato Leaves Edible :
We all must be well aware of Sweet Potatoes (Sakarkand) ,its recipes as well as its health benefits. But only few among us knowing and consuming the Greens of Sweet potatoes, traditionally known in Chhattisgarh as "Kanda Bhaji". Kanda means roots in Chhattisgarh. Asia ,Africa, The Pacific Ocean region people consume Sweet Potato Leaves.
Sweet Potato leaves/कांदा भाजी |
The Green veggies(Kanda Bhaji/Saag) of Sweet Potatoes are extremely nutritious and delicious. These delicate leaves carries good amount of protein, vitamins like A,B,C,D,E,and K, fibers, minerals like Iron, Celenium, calcium, Beta Carotene, functional elements like Polyphenols, Lutein which reduce the risk of Chronic diseases.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Leaves :
Ingredients:
- Sweet Potato leaves (Kanda Bhaji )-1/2 kg or 5-6 bundles
- Gram lentil (Chana Dal)- 1 fist or Handful
- Chopped Garlic - 6-7 Cloves
- Red Chilies -2-3 pieces
- Oil -2-3 table spoons
- Salt - as per taste
- Chopped Tomatoes (optional)-1
Method:
- Take 1/2 kg or 5-6 bundles of green, soft, heart shaped leaves of Sweet Potatoes(Kanda Bhaji ).
- Pluck the Kanda leaves from it's soft branches. The sweet potatoes leaves are generally very soft so it cooks very easily that's why chopping in fine pieces is not required
- Wash the leaves 3-4 times thoroughly.
- In a cooker take the small quantity of gram lentil(Chana dal), add the half cup of water and little salt .Close the cooker lid and switch on the gas. wait till 2-3 whistles to come. Switch off the gas and let the cooker’s pressure come down.
- Now open the lid of cooker and add Sweet Potatoes leaves (Kanda Bhaji ).Close the lid and give just 1 single whistle in medium flame .(Do not add extra water in cooker).
- Once the cooker's pressure comes down, open the lid and check the boiled Sweet Potatoes leaves.
- (The boiling of the Gram lentils/Chana dal and Sweet potatoes leaves can be done in any pan or kadai also with above given quantity of water).
- Take a pan and heat it on the gas stove. Take 2-3 spoons of oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, tamper with 6-7 chopped garlic,2-3 red chilies, if you are adding chopped tomato then cook it for 2 minutes.
- Once tomatoes are added then transfers the boiled Sweet Potatoes leaves (Kanda Bhaji ) from the cooker. Mix them well and add salt further if required. Do not add any amount of water here. Cover it for some time and cook until all the water from the Bhaji gets evaporated.
- Once leaves are dry you can serve with steamed rice and daal. The Sweet Potatoes leaves (Kanda Bhaji ) really taste delicious.
- Sweet Potato leaves contains Polyphenols ,which is very important antioxidants and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
- The consumption of Sweet Potato Veggies maintain the necessary level of Lutein in body ,which prevents against age related molecular degeneration.
- Sweet Potato leaves are used for many Skin related conditions.
- Sweet Potato Leaves are rich in Vit K ,which helps in maintaining calcium level in body ,which lowers the risk of bone loss in body.
- Sweet potato leaves lowering the risk of heart attack. It reduces the inflammation in cell linings of arteries and veins.
- Sweet Potato leaves are good for Eyes health.