A Bengali meal typically starts with something bitter. And this is in an accordance with ancient Ayurvedic practices. Neem leaves are delightfully bitter and make for a delicious summer eggplant dish.
On much popular demand (as requested by many on Instagram), the summer food series is back this year with rural flavours of Bengal. These posts will give you a glimpse of rural Bengal and the taste that we urbanites are missing or lost today amidst the chaos of imported flavours.
Starting today with Neem Begun, the much famed bitter stories of Bengali’s meal platter.
Neem Begun , an old school traditional Bengali dish, very ancient and very ethnic. A true spring detox recipe to cleanse out the system. Neem pata diye begun bhaja is nothing but crispy fried neem leaves with cubed brinjals. A Bengali meal typically starts with something bitter. And this is in an accordance with ancient Ayurvedic practices. A typical meal should starts with something bitter, followed by other tastes of spicy, pungent, astringent, sour and should ends on a sweet note. And our love for bitter food does not starts and ends with bitter gourd only. To begin with we have neem leaves and many more bitter flower and leaves that we regularly use in our daily meals. 
Neem or margosa is known for it’s medicinal properties since ancient times and is loaded with antiviral, anti microbial and anti oxidant properties that can boost our immune systems. So, eating neem-begun during the month of April-May highlights that very thought and philosophy of clean eating in accordance with Ayurvedic practices.
What kind of neem leaves are required– this dish is to be prepared fresh with tender neem leaves only, the one with slight reddish or pinkish tinge to it.
How to use the neem leaves in the recipe – neem leaves are usually fried here. Some deep fried them in the oil. I follows a simple different way of doing it. In a flat pan, smear it with oil, at least 2tbsp oil for a bunch of neem leaves ( 8-10 sprigs). Once the oil is hot enough, switch off the gas, toss the neem leaves in it and leave for few minutes. Tossing in between, till the leaves are all crispy.
Why eggplants – eggplants or brinjals are considered as cooling food, full of dietary fiber and low calorie but high nutritive value. And it taste way better with brinjals than with any other vegetables. In fact, I think the super bitterness of neem leaves are beautifully complemented by fried cubed eggplants.
But, Bong’s undying love for potatoes has invented another similar recipe – neem aloo bhate. Whereas crispy neem leaves are crumbled and then sprinkled on mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes with bitter neem leaves ? Is something to ponder upon for those who are not familiar with this pairing. But to us, it’s the ultimate summer comfort food.
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Traditional Bengali Summer Eggplant with Fried Neem Leaves
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy fried neem leaves and tender eggplant make a vibrant, flavorful side dish. Perfect with steamed rice!
Ingredients
- 1 bunch (8-10 sprigs) Neem Leaves
- 2 cups (473 ml) Eggplants / brinjals
- Salt
- turmeric
- Mustard oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the tender neem leaves.
- In a metal pan, smear 2 tbsp of oil and warm it up. Once hot, reduce heat to low or turn off.
- Spread the neem leaves evenly in the pan, tossing a few times to coat with oil.
- Leave for 2-3 minutes, toss, and repeat until crispy (2-3 minutes per side). If needed, keep the pan on the lowest heat.
- Carefully remove the neem leaves from the pan.
- Add more oil to the pan.
- Rub salt and turmeric over cubed eggplants.
- Fry the eggplants in hot oil until evenly browned.
- Mix the fried neem leaves with the fried eggplants.
- Serve warm with steamed rice.
Notes
- For extra-crispy neem leaves, ensure they are completely dry before frying and use a high-smoke point oil like mustard oil.
- If you can’t find neem leaves, substitute with curry leaves for a similar aromatic flavor, though the bitterness will differ.
- Store leftover Bengali Summer Eggplant in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Bengali
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 0
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of eggplant should I use for Neem Begun?
You should use summer brinjals, which are tender and have a mild flavor that complements the bitterness of neem leaves.
How do I prepare the neem leaves before frying them?
Ensure the neem leaves are thoroughly washed and dried to remove any dirt or impurities, then you can fry them until crispy.
What other ingredients are essential for making Neem Begun?
Besides neem leaves and brinjals, you will need basic spices like turmeric and salt to enhance the flavors of the dish.
