Lost in translation: punjabi-English help required

[horticultural_hobbit]

I know what spinach is, generically. But mum is asking for Palak. Big leafy stuff. What is it, just greens?

Then there is sarson de saag, which I think translates as mustard leaves. I get it confused with methi which is fenugreek. (shredded cauli and fenugreek chappatis for me for brunch, incidentally)

I know that thaniya is coriander. But I don't know what parsley is.

Help, I'm clearly not that good a polyglot

[rustylady]

According to Google Palak is spinach. Possibly spinach beet with the leaves allowed to grow to a bigger size than the supermarkets sell them.

[shona_b]

My perpetual spinich would fit the bill as i never get to enough of the leaves when they are small. I always use it in "saag" curries or anything esle that calls for spinach........Saag Aloo for dinner to accompany the chicken tikka masala!

[shobhna]

There are different types of palak / spinach. see link attached:
Spinach / Palak Seeds - Spinach/ Palak - All Green, Spinach/ Palak - Kantedar, Spinach/ Palak - Gauri and Spinach /Palak (Hy.) - Nakul Supplier & Manufacturer

I am used to the flat slightly pointy leaved variety called Kantedar. That is what was readily available in Kenya. The word 'spinach' seems to be a cover-all for anything leafy though !!

Sarson is mustard leaves and menthi is fungreek leaves and there is a defenite taste and flavour difference in both of these types.

Even the leaves from the mooli are used as a spinach, it has a slight peppery taste.
The leaves from radishes too are used as a spinach. My adopted auntie (she is a Punjabi lady) makes the most beautiful parathas with radish leaves.

If anyone can remember the series ''Goodness Gracious Me'' will remember the auntie in that series who said she could make anything from a ''small aubergine''.
:-)

[horticultural_hobbit]

So far, I have refrained from going all 'goodness, gracious me'...that might change...

[horticultural_hobbit]

Ma-ism

On harvesting red cardinal F1 spinach:

That's not saag, that's palaak

::head desk::

[Creemteez]

Dammit, I want Saag Aloo and a Brinjal Bhaji now! Lu-u-u-u-u-r-r-vve Indian food!

[Glutton4...]

Yeah - me too!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Aloo gobi recipe is on the season to taste board.

Aloo Saag, well that is just complicated. Gimme me a minute, and I'll try and put one variation up. Aloo saag is the sort of dish that whilst it looks straight forwards, is the different between a nice mother in law or a not so nice Mother in law ( when you get one!)

Aubergine bhajis! The anthem to my doomed youth

[Snadger]

Egg n chips man mesell!

[tumbling tom]

I used my large swiss chard leaves in a curry last night. Perfect

[Sylvan]

Hehe, "one small aubergine" is a common phrase in this house. Strange, since I can't stand the things.

Have you managed to put up an aloo saag recipe? I did a search but could only find the aloo gobi.

[horticultural_hobbit]

My apologies! Will try and put it up shortly!

[Sylvan]

No rush
I just thought my search techniques were dodgy

[horticultural_hobbit]

Have put up a rough recipe. It has an get out clause attached