Do you know about the season’s special Navdhari Bhindi / Shravani Bhendi?

Navdhari Bhindi also known as the Shravani Bhendi or Gavathi Bhendi in Marathi is a variety of the lady’s finger/okra.

Appearance:

• Compared to the regular ladies’ fingers, Navdhari bhindi is thicker, firmer, and longer.
• It gets its name Navdhari from the 9 distinct segments that it has on its surface.
• It has a distinct Whitish green or light-green to yellowish-green color.

Texture:

• If you cut it open, unlike the regular bhindi it isn’t sticky.
• It is more fibrous.

Availability:

• It is available only during the specified period of Shravan mainly from late August to early October and thus gets its name “Shravani bhendi”.
• Easily available in the local markets of Mumbai, and Kokan.

Purchasing:

• It can easily be stored in the fridge for at least a week.

How to use it?

• Wash thoroughly and then pat it dry.
• Cut into vertical strips of rings as per the recipe demands.

How does it taste?

This variety of lady’s finger is firmer, crisp, subtly sweet on the palate

A quick recipe of a sabzi:

• Heat oil in a dekchi. Add in mustard and let it crackle.
• Add in green chillies followed by finely chopped onion.
• Saute till it turns pink to pinkish brown.
• Add in the Bhindi rings. Mix well and let it cook for 7-10 mins.
• Finally, add in salt and any other flavouring/ garnish that you like, and then serve hot.

Other culinary uses:

• Sabzi
• Gravies
• Stir fry
• Stuffed Okra

Also make sure to read about other seasonal ingredients like – Hurda, kantola, kante kanagi, etc