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Alvamande or Arbi Upkari (Taro Root Stir Fry)

Arbi upkari or arbi stir fry curry is a Konkani style simple dish, using chilli powder and tangy tamarind. Arbi or alvamande (as we call in Konkani) is a starchy, gluten free root vegetable, like potato.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, Konkani, South Indian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion chopped or sliced
  • 10 to 12 Arvi/Colocasia
  • 2 teaspoons soaked tamarind water or 1/2 teaspoon tamarind paste
  • 2-3 tablespoons coconut oil or any cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 2 teaspoons red Kashmiri chilli powder according to your taste
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Arbi can be cooked easily in a pressure pan with plenty of water for about 2 to 3 whistles. DO NOT OVERCOOK; it will cook again in the onion masala.

  2. Once the pressure drops, cool them by immersing them in cold water, peel and slice or chop them.
  3. In a kadai or fry pan, heat the oil.
  4. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds. When they start spluttering, add the onions and sauté for about 2 minutes, till the onions are slightly soft.
  5. Add the red chilli powder and mix well. Fry this for about 2 to 3 minutes to roast the onions in the chilli powder till the oil separates.
  6. Stir in the tamarind and mix well. Cook this for about a minute. (if using tamarind paste, add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water).
  7. Add the chopped arbi and salt to taste, mix well and allow to cook, covered, on medium flame, stirring in between till the arbi is cooked and soft. Remember, arbi has already cooked a little in the pressure pan.
  8. If you want slightly crispy arbis, you can increase the flame and stir fry after it is cooked, to evaporate all the water, and the arbi is slightly crisp.
  9. Serve hot with steamed rice and dalithoy, sambhar or any other gravy.