Summer Squashes with Panch Phoron

Summer squashes are one of my favorite summertime delights. So pretty and colorful, they are irresistible during summer! Though there are many, zucchini and yellow squashes seem to be the most common varieties. I have been trying out various recipes using them, and this one turned out awesome.

This is an adaptation of Bengali style Summer Squash from Tigers & Strawberries. This recipe uses panch phoron. I am not comfortable yet to explain panch phoron as this is my first time using it. You may read about it here & here. The name panch phoron sounded intriguing when I first read about it a few months ago. When I saw the recipe and the ingredients, it seemed even more interesting as I had all the panch (five) ingredients ready in my pantry. As many of you might already know, the panch ingredients are mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, and nigella seeds. Mix them in equal amounts and there you have it, panch phoron!

This is the simplest of all Indian spice mixes I have ever seen, I guess. You don't have to roast or grind the ingredients! You may mix the seeds in bigger quantities and save it in an airtight container for easiness.

To cook summer squashes with panch phoron:

Heat up 1 ½ tbsp oil in a frying pan.

Add ½ tsp each of mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and nigella seeds. Cook for a minute, or until the mustard seeds splutter.

Now add one medium onion(thick slices), and fry until light brown.

Add crushed garlic(1 tsp), crushed ginger(1 tsp), and slit green chillies(1 or 2). Cook for a couple of minutes.

Add a pinch of turmeric powder.

Add sliced squash. (I used one yellow squash and one zucchini squash, cut into half moon shape).

Add salt, and one tomato cut into long slices (discard the seeds.)

Fry on a medium high heat until the squash pieces are cooked. Stir occasionally. This takes around 5 to 7 minutes. You may increase the frying time until the squash pieces turn light brown.

Add chopped green onions (about 2 tbsp), and remove from the stove.

Serve it as a side dish.