Rajasthani Kachi Haldi Ki Sabji (Fresh Turmeric Curry)

Kachi Haldi Ki Sabji (Fresh Turmeric Curry) is a Rajasthani winter special dish made using fresh turmeric roots, ghee, yogurt, and spices. Here is my easy recipe to make it (vegetarian, can be easily made gluten-free).

Here are some more Rajsthani recipes that you may like – Mirchi Ke Tipore, Besan Bhindi, Ker Sangri, Makki Ka Dhokla, Moong Dal Halwa, and Sev Tamatar Ki Sabzi. 

Jump to:

• About Haldi Ki Sabji
• Ingredients
• Pro Tips By Neha
• How To Make Haldi Ki Sabji
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Suggestions
• You Might Also Like
• Recipe Card

About Haldi Ki Sabji

Kachi Haldi Ki Sabji (Fresh Turmeric Curry) is a winter delicacy and a traditional recipe from the state of royals, Rajasthan.

Made using fresh turmeric roots, ghee, yogurt, and basic everyday spices, it is nutritious, easy to make, and has a vibrant yellow hue to it.

Fresh haldi (Kachi Haldi) gives the sabji an earthy peppery flavor with a slightly bitter taste, which is balanced by the use of ghee and fresh yogurt.

This sabzi is specially prepared in winter as it provides heat to the body and helps to maintain body temperature in extremely cold temperatures.

It is popularly made during festivals, weddings, and special occasions and is traditionally served with Bajra Roti, Makki ki Roti, or Phulka.

I am sharing this traditional recipe of Rajasthan that I learned from my grandmother who hailed from the city of Jodhpur. Do try this fresh turmeric root curry in the winter season when it is available in abundance.

This recipe is vegetarian and can be easily made gluten-free, You can double or triple it too.

Ingredients

Fresh Turmeric – It is available during winter and resembles yellow ginger root. Check your nearby Indian grocery store to source it.

Note – You can also add 50 g (1.8 oz) of Amba Haldi (Mango Ginger) along with turmeric to give this curry a tangy taste.

Green Peas – Use fresh or frozen peas.

Yogurt (Dahi, Curd) – Yogurt is added to balance the heat of fresh turmeric. If you have access to homemade slightly sour yogurt, it’s the best, otherwise, use plain yogurt.

Spice Powders – You will need Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder.

Ghee – This dish is made only in ghee and not in oil. Ghee cuts down the bitterness of turmeric and also balances its heat. Do not reduce the quantity of ghee to make this recipe otherwise, it might turn bitter.

Whole Spices – Add in spices such as cloves (laung), green cardamom (hari elaichi), cinnamon (dalchini), and cumin seeds.

Others – You will also need asafetida (hing), green chillies, garlic, fresh ginger, salt, and cilantro (fresh coriander leaves).

Some people also add methi leaves (fenugreek leaves) and spring onions to this curry.

Skip adding asafetida to make this curry gluten-free.

Pro Tips By Neha

Peeling fresh haldi leaves the palm yellow and it takes a few days for the color to go. So make sure to wear gloves while peeling and grating the turmeric.

Use an old bowl to keep the grated haldi. It will stain the bowl as well.

Do not use a white pan or white spatula to make this sabji.

How To Make Haldi Ki Sabji

Preparation

Wash 7 oz (200 g) of fresh turmeric and peel it using a butter knife or a spoon.

Grate the turmeric root using the medium hole of a box grater.

Coarsely crush 2 green cardamoms, 3-4 cloves, and a 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick using a mortar and pestle.

Slit 2-3 green chilies into half, chop 3-4 cloves of garlic, grate a small piece of ginger, and chop some cilantro.

Make Haldi Sabzi

Heat ½ cup ghee in a pan over medium heat.

Note – Do not reduce the quantity of ghee. If less ghee is used, the bitterness of turmeric doesn’t go away and the curry will not taste nice.

Once the ghee is hot, add 2 crushed green cardamoms, 3-4 crushed cloves, and a crushed 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick and saute for 3-4 seconds.

Add

• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing)
• 2-3 green chilies (slit into half)
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

and fry for 4-5 seconds.

Now reduce the heat to low.

Add 7 oz (200 g) of grated turmeric to the pan and saute for 10-15 minutes until the turmeric is softened.

Keep stirring continuously to avoid it from sticking to the bottom.

Once the turmeric is softened, add

• ¾ cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala powder

to the pan and mix well.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on low heat and keep stirring frequently to avoid the yogurt from curdling.

Add 1 teaspoon salt and ½ cup green peas to the pan and mix well.

Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes if using frozen peas or 10-12 minutes if using fresh peas.

Remove the lid. Check for salt and add more if needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Kachi Haldi Sabji can be served with Rajasthani moti roti, Rajasthani khoba roti, bajre ki roti, or makki ki roti with a dollop of homemade ghee.

You can also serve it with phulka, tawa paratha, or lachha paratha.

Usually, it is served as a side dish with meals in smaller quantities, as it has strong flavors and also because it creates a lot of heat inside the body.

Storage Suggestions

Fresh Turmeric Sabji lasts for 3-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and thus many Rajasthani households make this in a little larger quantity and store it in the refrigerator to serve as a side to their meals. 

Serve it at room temperature or heat it a little before serving again.

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