Saanza (Vegetable Saanza)

Upma is originated from south and in most of the Udipi restaurants, we get south Indian Upma for breakfast. In Maharashtra, upma is prepared in a bit different manner and is called “Saanza”.
Saanza is a yellow coloured upma. Turmeric is used as in ingredient while preparing Saanza which is not used in Upma. Generally, there are two type of Saanzas – viz Plain Saanza (Tikhat Mithacha Saanza) and vegetable Saanza. Plain Saanza is made without vegetables while in vegetable Saanza, onion, potatoes, cauliflower, green-peas, etc. is used. Also, instead of lime juice, butter-milk is used which gives it a unique taste.

Here is the recipe of vegetable Saanza.




Ingredients :
2 cup coarse rawa (Semolina)
3 cups water
1 cup butter-milk
2-3 finely chopped onions
1 chopped potato
1 chopped tomato
1/2 chopped carrot
¼ cup green peas
¼ cup peanuts
2-3 finely chopped green chillies
8-10 curry leaves
1 tspn mustard seeds (Mohri / Rai)
½ tspn cumin seeds (Jeera)
½ tspn turmeric powder
Pinch of asafaetida (Hing)
1-2 tspn sugar
Salt to taste

For garnishing :
Finely chopped coriander
Grated fresh coconut
Yellow Sev

Preparation :
Roast Semonina on a low flame till you get aroma at a distance and keep it aside.
Take water in a vessel and keep it for boiling
Add green peas to the boiling water

Add oil to the kadai for heating.
When oil is hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafaetida, curry leaves, peanuts and green chillies.
Add finely chopped onion to the above mixture
Fry till it turns light pink
Now add potato, tomato & carrot.
Cover the mixture with lid and let it cook.
Add turmeric powder and salt to the mixture.
Transfer roasted semolina to the kadai
Saute the mixture for 3-4 minutes
Now add boiling water and butter-milk to the mixture
Mix the mixture gently
Immediately close it with lid and let it cook.
After 10-15 minutes pour sugar on the mixture
Again mix the mixture

At the time of serving add grated coconut, yellow sev and coriander to it.

Note :
Lime juice may be used instead of butter-milk, but in traditional Saanza, butter-milk it used.
You may also add vegetables like French beans, cauliflower etc.