undhiyu recipe | Surti undhiyu | Oondhiya | authentic Gujarati undhiyu | with 60 amazing images.
Oondhiya is a classic Gujarati vegetable from the city of Surat and hence also called Surti undhiyu. Oondhiya is a preparation of vegetables and fenugreek muthias cooked in an aromatic blend of spices. A traditional undhiyu recipe requires hours on end to make. Here, we have presented a faster version using a pressure cooker that also uses less oil.
Undhiyu is a one pot vegetable dish that is the hallmark of Gujarati vegetarian cuisine. Generally preparing undhiyu takes a lot of time and needs patience. Traditionally the veggies are cooked or fried in batches. There are usually three versions of Undhiyu, matla undhiyu, Kathiyawadi undhiyu and the version we have made which is surti undhiyu.
As this undhiyu is cooked in pressure cooker, this recipe doesn’t take much time. The name “Undhiyu” is derived from the Gujarati word “undhu” which means upside down. Tradionally undhiyu is cooked in an earthen pot called matti nu matlu in gujju. The pots are sealed and placed upside down in a fire pit dug in the ground. the slow cooking in the earthen pot gives the dish a rustic flavor and taste. This method of making undhiyu is still used in my village, the flavor and aroma is distinctive.
Undhiyu is specially made in winter as some veggies used for making are only available in winter. My mother would make undhiyu for special occasions and also family get-togethers along with poori’s and aamras. Being a Gujarati I grew up with Undhiyu as special dish for which we has to wait all year long until the winters started and we would still just get to enjoy this vegetable for 2-3 months, but now-a-days everything is easily available. Every Gujarati household makes Undhiyu for Sunday lunch or festival like Uttarayan when the vegetables are in season.
The dish is a seasonal one, comprising the vegetables that are available during the winter, including green beans or new peas, small eggplants, muthia (dumplings/fritters made with fenugreek leaves, potatoes, and purple yam, yam. You can also add green peas if you wish to.
Ingredients of undhiyu are now available all year but are very expensive in the off season and the quality of the vegetables are not very good.
To save on time further, you can buy readymade dry muthias. However, ensure you add them along with the vegetables so that they turn soft on cooking. Ummmmm… I am reminded of Jalabi, Puri and oondhiya… trust me, that is the perfect combination to win a Gujarati's heart!
Enjoy undhiyu recipe | Surti undhiyu | Oondhiya | authentic Gujarati undhiyu | with detailed step by step recipe photos below.