The dish Shojne Phuler Chorchori is a tasty vegetarian and vegan Bengali side dish made with Moringa Flowers. Evidently, this seasonal treat has the potential to prevent chickenpox! Astonishing, isn't it? Moringa Flower isn't accessible all year round, and this specific plant is renowned for its medicinal properties. During the summer months, we relish Sojne Danta (Drumstick), while we cook Sojne Phul throughout the winter and spring.
Jump to:
- Mishmash in Bengali Cuisine
- Shojne Phuler Chorchori- a Bengali vegan delicacy
- Can Shojne Phul, aka Moringa, prevent Chicken Pox?
- Shojne Phuler Chorchori - Recipe variation
- Think seasonal; think local
- Top tip
- Frequently Asked Questions about Shojne Phuler Chorchori
- Recipe Card
- Immunity Boosting Recipes
- Bengali Vegan Recipes
- Bengali Chorchori Recipes (veg and non-veg)
- Let's connect over an easy Moringa Flower Recipe
- Shojne Phuler Chorchori Recipe Pin for You
Mishmash in Bengali Cuisine
Mishmash in Bengali cuisine is highly versatile and can take several different forms. Labra, Chyanchra, Ghonto, or Chorchori - all of which are prepared with various combinations of vegetables, greens, and at times fish, and meat. These dishes are differentiated from one another by the type of cuts of vegetables that are used in each. Ghee is often used in many of these dishes. However, you can omit ghee depending on the recipe. Additionally, the use of spices and herbs can vary as well and is often tailored to the individual's taste. This flexibility makes Bengali mishmash an incredibly versatile dish that can be adapted to a variety of dietary restrictions.
For instance, a vegan Bengali Chorchori may use seasonal moringa flowers, potato, eggplant, and green peas and we call it Shojne Phuler Chorchori!
Shojne Phuler Chorchori- a Bengali vegan delicacy
I have to admit that Sojne Phuler Chorchori, a Bengali vegan dish, wasn't one of my favorites during my childhood. But sometimes, there are dishes we come to appreciate more as adults. This includes making Torkari, Bati Chorchori, and fritters with Sojne Phul. The Bitter taste of the Moringa flower was not much interesting to me back then. I prefer Sojne Phuler Chorchori cooked with potato chunks, eggplant, and green peas over other varieties. The slight bitterness of the Moringa flower is complemented nicely by the taste of the seasonal green peas.
Can Shojne Phul, aka Moringa, prevent Chicken Pox?
When I told Maa that I am going to write about Sojne Phuler Chorchori, she couldn't help but laugh. I suppose she was remembering how I used to hate this dish and all other typical Bengali dishes such as Neem Begun and Kumror Torkari. With age, I've come to understand why these dishes were so important to her and to Indian culture in general.
It is believed that having Moringa Flower prevents Chicken Pox, which is why in Bengal, several dishes such as those with Sojne Phul or Gota Sheddo are treated as preventive foods. So, even if you don't like it or not, if you are from a typical Bengali family, you have to eat these dishes at least once.
Shojne Phuler Chorchori - Recipe variation
I was curious to know why we add green peas to Sojne Phuler Chorchori! So, I asked my mother about it. She told me that we should follow the recipe of my aunt, Mammam. She, according to our family, was the best of the cooks amongst the daughters-in-law in her generation. Apparently, Mammam believed that green peas balanced the flavor of Moringa flower, and since we don't add many spices to this vegetarian dish, it's wise to use seasonal produce that complements the taste. Furthermore, she used to say that the combination of green peas and Moringa flowers adds a delicate flavor to the dish and makes it more sumptuous. Eggplant, however, I understand. It gives an amazing texture to this dish.
Thus, my aunt's recipe has been passed down in our family, and we continue to use green peas in Sojne Phuler Chorchori to this day.
Think seasonal; think local
I captured the pictures of Shojne Phuler Chorchori last year to write a blog post about the recipe. However, as the season of Shojne Phul was coming to an end, I realized I wouldn't be able to finish the post in time. So, I simply decided to keep the blog post in the draft folder of my blog. I waited for another year to post the recipe. This year, I'm finally able to post a blog post about this delicious dish. I am happy to share the recipe with my readers. I'm hoping that this post will help those who are looking for an easy yet delicious recipe using seasonal products.
Top tip
Use fresh moringa flowers, aka shojne phul, in this recipe. Wash the flowers completely before using them in the chorchori
Frequently Asked Questions about Shojne Phuler Chorchori
Going by the ingredients we use, Shojne Phuler Chorchori for sure is a Bengali vegan dish.
I am not qualified to give medical advice, so it would be inappropriate for me to attempt to do so. Nevertheless, traditional, local dishes are often believed to have preventative qualities and are believed to work to guard against various conditions and illnesses.
For example, many people believe that consuming moringa can help to reduce the risk of contracting chicken pox. This belief is especially strong in certain parts of the world, and it is interesting to note that such traditional remedies often have a basis in scientific fact. In the case of moringa, the plant is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which could offer some protection against chicken pox. However, it is important to note that such remedies should not be taken as an alternative to medical advice and treatment.
Recipe Card
Shojne Phuler Chorchori
Shojne Phuler Chorchori is a tasty vegetarian and vegan Bengali side dish made with Moringa Flowers, Potato, Eggplant, and Green Peas as the main ingredients.
Ingredients
- 200 g Shojne Phul aka Moringa Flower
- 2 Potatoes
- ½ Eggplant
- 1 Green Tomato if not available use normal red tomato
- ½ Cup Green Peas
- 6-8 Green Chilies
Tempering
- ½ Tsp. Panch Phoron
- 2 Dry Red Chili
Spices and Oil
- 1 Tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1 Tsp. Salt
- 3 Tbsp. Mustard Oil
Instructions
- Wash and clean Moringa Flowers properly just before cooking the chorchori.
- Peel the skin and cut the potatoes into small cubes.
- Cut Eggplant into small cubes as well without removing the skin.
- Take a big Green Tomato and finely chop it. I do not prefer a paste of tomato while making hte chorchori.
- If not available, use a red tomato, however, green tomato not only enhances the flavor but also gives an amazing color to this dish.
- Now make a paste of 2 Green Chillies and cut the other into halves.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. Mustard Oil in a pan.
- Temper the oil with Dry red Chillies and Panch Phoron aka Bengali five spices.
- Add Potato Chunks followed by ¼ Tsp. Salt and ¼ Tsp. Turmeric Powder.
- Fry the Potatoes till they are ½ done.
- This should take around 5-8 minutes depending on the quality of the potato.
- Now add Eggplant cubes and fry those along with the potatoes.
- Once the eggplant started softening, add Green tomatoes and Green Peas.
- After adding those add the remaining salt, and turmeric powder along with the green chili paste.
- Add chopped green Chilies as well and give it a thorough mix.
- At this point add Moringa Flowers aka Shojne Phul to the mixture and give it a thorough mix.
- Now cover the pan with a lid and cook on low flame for around 10 minutes.
- By this time the tomatoes and eggplant will completely soften; the flowers will be soggy; the potato and green peas will be well-cooked yet in shape.
- Now add 1 Tbsp. Raw Mustard Oil and give a thorough mix.
- If needed adjust the salt.
- Serve Shojne Phuler Chorchori hot with steamed rice and plain Masoor Daal.
Notes
- Using a green tomato is optional; you can use red tomato as well. However, it gives an amazing color as well as an earthy taste to the dish.
- Instead of mustard oil, you can use other oil however, the ideal is mustard oil.
- Instead of green chilies, you can use chili powder.
Nutrition
Immunity Boosting Recipes
Bengali Vegan Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Bengali Chorchori Recipes (veg and non-veg)
Searching for more Bengali Chorchori Recipes?
Let's connect over an easy Moringa Flower Recipe
I would love to see a picture if you are making the prawns following my recipe. You can share here at dolonchttrj@gmail.com. You can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar and share it through Instagram as well. In addition, you can tag me at @foodofdebjani.
Shojne Phuler Chorchori Recipe Pin for You
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
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