Simple Stir-Fried Onion Flowers ( Piyaaz Kali sabzi)

Onion Flowers are available with few vendors during winters in Mumbai.

In fact, I first heard about them from my bong friends during a conversation. It intrigued me. I hunted down many local markets for the same but failed to get those.

A few days prior at an event Chef Saby Gorai mentioned ” Piyaaz koli” and yet again I set out to find the famous yet not-so-easily available ingredient. Finally, on one wintery evening when I least expected it. I found the ingredient with my local vendor. Let me share what I have learned about this ingredient.

It is called “Spring Onion Flowers”.Other names for this ingredient are Piyaaz koli, Ullithandu etc

Appearance:

Onion blooms are long, firm, and tubular yet porous from the centre.

The stalks have pods at the tip. The pod blooms into my white little florets. When you gently crush the white blooms with your fingers you get an intense yet beautiful onion aroma.

Taste:

They have a mild flavour.

Below is the recipe my vegetable vendor shared with me.

Stir-Fried Spring Onion Sabji/Piyaz kali sabji

Ingredients:

Spring Onion Flower-6-8 stalks, Chopped in 1 inch pcs.

Potato:2, chopped

Mustard seeds:1 tsp

Dried Red Chillies:2

Turmeric:1/2 tsp

Mustard Oil: 1 tsp

Salt as per taste

Procedure:

• Heat oil in a wok.
• Add red chilies and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
• Then add in chopped potato and saute it till it’s almost done.
• Add the chopped Spring onion flowers and turmeric.
• Give it a toss and let it cook for a few minutes by placing a lid.
• Lastly, add salt as per taste and serve with roti or rice.

Also, try my Chilled Chickpea and spring onion flower salad. Don’t forget to share your experiences and recipes in the comments below.