Green Pea Pod (outer skin) Curry

Everybody is aware of green peas and various dishes that can be prepared out of this vegetable. I wonder how many of you have heard or tasted a curry made out of the skin of the pea pod. Yes, you have heard it right and I am not joking and neither is it April Fools day !!

This dish was initially made by my aunt during my school days. Of course at that time we were more interested in the taste and the looks of the dish rather than the vegetable itself.

We first tasted it and found it very interesting and to our liking. So the next step was to identify the vegetable. But sadly enough, none of us could do it.

So when she revealed that it was made from the skin of the green pea-pod, we just could not believe it. She then actually bought a kilo of green peas (with the pod ofcourse)

and showed us how to peel the skin of the pod. Even though it is slightly laborious, it is worth going through it due to its nutritional value ( I believe it is full of fibre) as well as the taste.

How to skin the pod :

First of all the pods of the Green Peas should be fresh and green (not the dry and pale ones). After shelling the peas, choose only the tender green (pod only) ones and discard the dry pale ones. Wash them thoroughly and drain off the water.

First, separate the pod i.e. take it apart. Take one half of the pod, and press one of the pointed edge inwards and gently pull it along till it reaches the other end and peel off completely from the pod as shown above. You will notice that a thin hard skin is being peeled. Discard this. And what remains behind is the tender outer skin. Just use your hands to cut them into 2/3 pieces. (See the picture below) Follow the same procedure for the rest of the pods.

Initially, you may find it difficult, but ones you get the hang of it, you will be able to do it faster. But take care to see that the peel is removed completely or else the dish will turn chewy. Ones this is done, (see above picture) you are ready for the preparation of the curry which is very simple and tasty too.

Ingredients

Green Pea pods	1/2 kg Washed peeled and cut
Potato	1 washed and chopped
Onion	1peeled & chopped
Tomato	1 washed & chopped
Green chilies	2
Turmeric powder	¼ tsp
Oil	3-4 tsps
Mustard seeds	1-2 tsps
Salt	To taste
Water	1 cup
Corriander leaves	Small bunch –washed and chopped

Method :

• Heat oil in a wok/pan/kadai. Add to it the mustard seeds.
• When mustard seeds start spluttering, add chopped onion, turmeric powder and split green chilies.
• Saute it for awhile till the onions are transparent but not browned.
• Now add the chopped potatoes, peeled and cut pea pods and chopped tomatoes.
• Stir well and add half the water (the skin of the pea pods leave its own water).
• Keep it covered on a medium flame. Occasionally stir.
• When half cooked, add the salt and the remaining water if necessary.
• Cook till done. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.

Note :

1 Kg of fresh green peas produces about 1/2kg pods ( i.e. after shelling).

It cooks within 10-15 minutes. It goes well with chapattis and also with rice and dal.