Omita Khar Recipe: A Traditional Assamese Papaya and Potato Delight

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Omita Khar is a classic Assamese dish that beautifully combines the flavours of raw papaya and potatoes with the unique alkaline taste of sun-dried raw papaya skin. This traditional dish is known for its simplicity and distinctive taste. Here’s how to make Omita Khar:

CourseSide Dish
CuisineAssamese
Servings4
Preparation Time15 minutes
Cooking Time20 minutes
CaloriesApproximately 120 calories/serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw papaya, grated
  • 2 medium-sized potatoes, diced
  • 2-3 dry pieces of omita khar (alkaline sun-dried raw papaya skin)
  • 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise
  • 1/2 teaspoon panch phoron (a blend of five whole spices)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Water, as needed
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Alkaline Solution:

  1. Take the omita khar pieces and soak them in 2 cups of water for 30-45 minutes.
  2. After soaking, drain the water and discard it. This step softens the omita khar.

2. Cooking the Vegetables:

  1. In a deep pan, add the grated raw papaya and diced potatoes.
  2. Pour enough water to submerge the vegetables.
  3. Add the softened omita khar and green chilies.
  4. Cook on medium heat until the vegetables become tender and the raw papaya loses its raw taste.

3. Tempering:

  1. In a separate pan, heat a little oil.
  2. Add panch phoron and let it crackle.
  3. Sprinkle turmeric powder and stir briefly.

4. Combining the Temper with Vegetables:

  1. Pour the tempering over the cooked papaya and potatoes.
  2. Mix well and add salt to taste.
  3. Simmer for a few more minutes to let the flavors meld.

5. Serving:

  1. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (if desired).
  2. Serve Omita Khar hot as a delightful side dish with steamed rice.

Tips:

  • Adjust the number of green chilies to suit your preferred spice level.
  • Omita khar (alkaline sun-dried raw papaya skin) is a unique ingredient that provides the dish’s distinct flavor. If unavailable, you can try substituting with a small amount of baking soda, although the flavor won’t be exactly the same.

Omita Khar is a delightful and authentic Assamese dish that showcases the essence of traditional Assamese cuisine. Enjoy the simple yet flavorful combination of papaya and potatoes with this cultural specialty.

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