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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Dal & Curries » Veg Curries » Zunka

    Published: Oct 8, 2020 | Last Updated On: Oct 8, 2020 by Neha Mathur

    Zunka

    2657 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Zunka Recipe (Jhunka) is a traditional Maharashtrian dish made using besan or chickpea flour. Zunka Bhakar is a very popular combination and is served throughout Maharashtra. Here is how to make this spicy besan curry.

    Love Maharashtrian cuisine? Then do give these recipes a try too – Misal Pav, Bharli Vangi, Masale Bhat, Puran Poli, Pithla, Shengdana Amti, and Sabudana Khichdi.

    Zunka recipe served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • What is Zunka Recipe?
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Zunka?
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • Pro Tips By Neha
    • Recipe Card

    What is Zunka Recipe?

    Zunka and Bhakri, ever heard of this comforting and delicious Maharashtrian combination? If no, then you should definitely check out this recipe, as it is very tasty and super easy to make.

    I call this my last-minute recipe! Whenever I have no time in my hands, I quickly prepare this Zunka recipe and serve it with some hot and flaky parathas. I got introduced to this Maharashtrian dry sabzi sometime back. The idea of making Jhunka when I was struggling to make something easy and quick was absolutely perfect.

    Zunka is prepared with gram flour and it is actually a dry version of Pithla. The gram flour is cooked along with basic everyday ingredients to get a simple yet tasty side dish for your meals. Itis a great dish to make when you are out of fresh vegetables.

    You can add in some methi, palak, or spring onions to make this dish even more scrumptious. You can skip onions and make this recipe without onions and only with green chilies and garlic.

    Make sure that you eat it hot right from the stove, as if you keep it for longer it will get dry and won’t taste as good as the fresh one.

    This Jhunka Recipe is,

    • Easy to make
    • Vegan
    • Tasty
    • A 15-minute affair
    • Apt for everyday meals
    • Made with just a few ingredients
    • Prepared in every Maharashtrian household

    Ingredients

    Zunka Ingredients.

    Gran Flour – Gram Flour or Besan is one of those ingredients, that are apt to use when you are out of vegetables. In this recipe, we will roast the besan with other ingredients to make Zunka.

    Vegetable Oil – Use any vegetable oil of your choice to make this dish. Traditionally, Jhunka is made in peanut oil.

    Onion and Garlic – I love the taste these two ingredients add in this rather simple dish. You can also use green onions instead of onions to make this dish.

    Spices – You will need some everyday spices such as turmeric powder, garam masala powder, Kashmiri red chili powder. Use Kashmiri powder as it will add a nice color to the same, without making it spicy.

    Green Chillies – For that much-needed spice! You can avoid adding it if you are making the same for kids.

    Other Ingredients – Other than the above ingredients, you will need hing, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fresh coriander, and warm water.

    How to make Zunka?

    Heat oil in a pan.

    Oil heating in a pan.

    Once the oil is hot, add hing, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.

    Hing, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds added in hot oil.

    Add garlic, fresh coriander, green chilli and onion and fry until onions turn pink in colour.

    Garlic, fresh coriander, green chilli and onion added in the pan.

    Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, besan, and salt to taste and fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

    Turmeric powder, garam masala powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, besan, and salt added in the pan.

    Now add warm water little by little and keep cooking the zunka. Cover the lid and cook for 5 minutes.

    Warm water added slowly in the pan.

    Remove the lid and cook it on low heat for 8-10 minutes until it is slightly dry. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve immediately.

    Ready Zunka garnished with fresh coriander.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Zunka gluten free?

    Yes, as this dish only uses Gram Flour or Besan which is gluten-free. Just make sure you avoid hing in this recipe if you want to make it gluten-free.

    What is the difference between Zunka and Pithla?

    Both are popular Maharashtrian dishes which are made with gram flour or besan. But where Pithla is a bit liquidy, Jhunka is a dry version of Pithla.

    You can check out my Pithla recipe here – Maharashtrian Pithla.

    How to make No Onion No Garlic Zunka?

    If you ask me, this dish is incomplete without onion and garlic. But if you do not eat the same, you can avoid adding them and add only finely chopped capsicum and green chilies instead to get that crunch.

    Serving Suggestions

    Traditionally, it is served along with Bhakri, Thecha, and Buttermilk (Taak).

    Zunka Bhakri or Zunka Bhakar is a popular combination in Maharashtra.

    You can also serve it along with Phulka, Tawa Paratha, or even with crispy and flaky Laccha Paratha.

    I also like to relish it with some hot and crispy Ghee Roast Dosa.

    You can also serve it as a side dish with your favourite Dal and Steamed Rice.

    Storage Suggestions

    This Maharashtrian dish, Zunka can be served only fresh. If you keep it for longer, it will become very dry and won’t taste good even after reheating.

    As it gets ready in just 15 minutes, I would recommend you to make it fresh and serve right out of the pan.

    If you still have leftovers, store it for about 2 days in an air tight container in the fridge.

    To reheat stored Zunka, add it in a pan and sprinkle a little water on top. Heat it until nice and warm, before serving.

    Pro Tips By Neha

    Add water slowly while making Zunka, otherwise it will become sticky.

    You can add finely chopped capsicum, greens, or green onions in the Zunka to add some texture and more flavor.

    You can adjust the spices in Zunka according to your taste.

    Serve Zunka fresh, as it is moist and soft. If you keep for longer, it will become dry and won’t taste good.

    You might also like

    • Maharashtrian Potato Bhaji (Batata Bhaji)
    • Besan Bhindi
    • Besan Halwa
    • Besan Chilla

    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Zunka Recipe (Jhunka) is a traditional Maharashtrian dish made using besan or chickpea flour. Zunka Bhakar is a very popular combination and is served throughout Maharashtra. Here is how to make this spicy besan curry.

    Zunka Recipe

    Zunka Recipe is a traditional Maharashtrian dish made using chickpea flour. It is served with bhakhri for a hearty meal. Here is how to make it.
    3.72 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 252kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 4 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
    • ¼ teaspoon Hing
    • ½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds
    • ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds
    • 2 teaspoon Garlic (finely chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Coriander (chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon Green Chillies (chopped)
    • ½ cup Onion (chopped)
    • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
    • 1 cup Besan
    • Salt (to taste)
    • 1 cup Warm Water
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    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a pan.
    • Once the oil is hot, add hing, mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.
    • Add garlic, fresh coriander, green chilli and onion and fry until onions turn pink in colour.
    • Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, kashmiri red chilli powder, besan and salt to taste and fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
    • Add warm water little by little and keep cooking the zunka.
    • Cover the lid and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Remove the lid and cook the zunka on low heat for 8-10 minutes until it is slightly dry.
    • Garnish with fresh coriander and serve immediately.

    Notes

    You can make this without onion and garlic as well. Just skip adding them.
    Add water slowly while making Zunka, otherwise it will become sticky.
    You can add finely chopped capsicum, greens, or green onions to add some texture and more flavor.
    You can adjust the spices according to your taste.
    Serve it fresh, as it is moist and soft. If you keep for longer, it will become dry and won’t taste good.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg
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    More Veg Curry Recipes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jayanthimurali

      December 11, 2022 at 5:58 am

      5 stars
      Tasty and nice.

      Reply

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