Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe

Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe is a simple Maharashtrian style bhaji made with pumpkin chunks and chironji. As it is very easy to make, you can also pack it for your Lunch Box.

Soni Khadilkar
Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe
2421 ratings.

Bakar Bhaji Recipe is a mild spicy, tangy curry made from chunks of pumpkin with the skin on. It goes well with chapati or curd rice. Bakar bhaji is made in Vidarbha (eastern region of Maharashtra) during festivals. So, if you are looking to make something new with Pumpkin, then do give this a try.

Serve Bakar Bhaji Recipe along with Jolada Roti Recipe (Jowar Bhakri), Kala Vatana Amti Recipe (Maharastrian Black Chickpea Curry), and Red Chilli Thecha for your everyday meal.

If you like this recipe, try more Everyday Recipes such as:

  1. Aavryachi Bhaji/Avarakkai Poriyal Recipe (Broad Beans Stir Fry)
  2. Goan Maskachi Bhaji Recipe
  3. Shepuchi Bhaji Recipe (Stir Fried Maharashtrian Suva/Dill Greens)

Course: Side Dish
Diet: Vegetarian
Equipments Used: Hard Anodised Kadai (Wok)
Prep in

10 M

Cooks in

10 M

Total in

20 M

Makes:

4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kg Kaddu (Parangikai/ Pumpkin) , chopped with skin intact
  • 1/4 cup Poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup Chironji
  • 1/4 cup Sesame seeds (Til seeds)
  • 1/4 cup Dessicated Coconut
  • Oil , as required
  • 8 Curry leaves
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies
  • 1/2 tablespoon Methi Seeds (Fenugreek Seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu)
  • 1 pinch Asafoetida (hing)
  • 2 teaspoons Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons Tamarind Paste
  • 2 teaspoons Red Chilli powder
  • Salt , to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Maharashtrian Goda Masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon Jaggery
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • Coriander (Dhania) Leaves , chopped, for garnishing

How to make Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe

  1. To begin making the Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe, dry roast the poppy seeds, sesame seeds, desiccated coconut & charoli all separately. Grind them into a coarse powder in mixer grinder. Keep aside.

  2. Wash the pumpkin thoroughly & cut the pumpkin with the skin into chunks of roughly 1 inch cubes. You can use the pumpkin with yellow & green skin, as it is very tasty and fits in this recipe very well.

  3. In a kadai, heat oil on medium heat and once it is hot enough, add fenugreek seeds. Once they splutter, add mustard seeds, hing & turmeric powder.

  4. Add the curry leaves immediately & red chillies. Give it a quick stir and add the chunks of pumpkin.

  5. Add the red chilli powder, jaggery, salt, goda masala, powder of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dry coconut & chironji & add the tamarind pulp. Add about 1/2 cup water & give it a quick stir & cover the vessel for the pumpkins to cook, the pumpkins doesn't take much time to cook. 

  6. The Bhakar bhaji shouldn't be too watery. garnish with coriander leaves and serve. Serve Maharashtrian Bakar Bhaji Recipe with Jolada Roti Recipe (Jowar Bhakri)Kala Vatana Amti Recipe (Maharastrian Black Chickpea Curry), and Red Chilli Thecha for your everyday meal.