Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole
A hearty winter vegetable casserole featuring a medley of beans, eggplant, and potatoes cooked in a fragrant, spiced coconut and sesame seed sauce. This indian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 70 minutes pairs purple eggplants (small, diced), sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed), green beans (cut into 2-inch pieces) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups purple eggplants (small, diced)
- 2 cups sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 1 cup green beans (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 cup surti papdi beans (or flat green beans)
- 1/2 cup fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves, chopped
- 1 cup grated fresh coconut
- 1/4 cup roasted sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3, chopped green chilies
- 1-inch piece, chopped ginger
- 1/4 cup jaggery (grated)
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- a pinch asafoetida (hing)
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup coriander leaves (chopped)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a spice grinder or blender, combine 1 cup grated fresh coconut, 1/4 cup roasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 3 chopped green chilies, and 1-inch chopped ginger; grind to a coarse paste using 1/4 cup water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and a pinch of asafoetida; when mustard seeds pop, add the ground spice paste and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups diced purple eggplants, 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes, 1 cup green beans, 1 cup surti papdi beans, 1/2 cup chopped methi leaves, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 cup water. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spice mixture.
- Step 4: Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Add 1/4 cup grated jaggery and 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves; gently fold and cook uncovered for another 5 minutes until the jaggery melts and flavors combine.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep grated fresh coconut from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Gujarati Sweet and Spicy Undhiyu Casserole?
Indian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
