Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla recipe with step by step photos. Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla, a savory pancake spiced with Indian spices that’s perfect for breakfast with a cup of masala chai.
Now that the Covid-19 is upon us, and realistically speaking, isn’t leaving us anytime soon, I’ve been spending a lot more time doing the things I didn’t normally have time for. Things like organizing. I’m such a hoarder, but now I have finally made time to organize and put my stuff away. Bollywood movie nights are a thing now! Every weekend my husband and I watch a movie and it’s been fun catching up on old Bollywood classics.
Of course, cooking! I cooked a decent amount before the whole Coronavirus, but now I’m cooking almost daily. I’m improvising with ingredients I have on hand because I no longer have the luxury to go buy what I need. So here’s one creation I whipped up based on the ingredients I had at home – Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla.
What is Puda / Chilla?
Puda also is known as Chilla or Cheela is a savory Indian pancake. Besan Puda is made with chickpea flour, ginger, green chilies, and your choice of veggies. For this recipe, I used grated zucchini and carrots. Puda is best served with green chutney or ketchup, and a cup of masala chai.
Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla is:
A Savory Pancake
Healthy
Vegan
Gluten-Free
Nutritious
Flavorful
The Perfect Brunch
How to make Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla recipe step by step?
Prepare the Puda Mixture
1. In a mixing bowl, add chickpea flour (besan), zucchini, carrots, red onion, cilantro, ginger, and green chilies.
2. Now add all the spices – cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and carom seeds (ajwain).
3. Add water. Start with 1 cup and add another 1/4 cup.
4. Mix the batter so its flowy.
Cook the Puda
1. Heat up a castiron skillet on low-medium heat. once hot, add a quarter teaspoon of oil.
2. Pour half a third cup of the mixture to the skillet.
3. Gently spread it out.
4. Try and spread it out so the puda is thin.
5. Add 1/4 tsp at a time over the puda and spread it out. You don’t need more than a quarter teaspoon of oil on top.
6. After a couple of minutes once light bubbles form, gently flip.
7. Nice and golden brown.
8. Puda is ready.
9. Enjoy with green chutney, ketchup, or red chili sauce.
Zucchini Carrot Besan Puda Chilla
Healthy, Vegan, Gluten-FreeIngredients
- 2 cups chickpea flour, besan
- 1 cup zucchini, grated
- 1/2 cup carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 inch ginger, chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp carom seeds, ajwain
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.25 cups water
- 2 tbsp avocado oil, divided - 1/2 tsp oil per puda
Instructions
Prepare the Puda Mixture
- In a bowl, add chickpea flour (besan), zucchini, carrots, red onion, cilantro, ginger, and green chilies.
- Now add all the spices - cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, and carom seeds (ajwain).
- Add water. Start with 1 cup and add another 1/4 cup.
- Mix the batter so its flowy.
Cook the Puda
- Heat up a castiron skillet on low-medium heat. once hot, add a quarter teaspoon of oil.
- Pour half a third cup of the mixture to the skillet.
- Gently spread it out.
- Try and spread it out so the puda is thin.
- Add 1/4 tsp at a time over the puda and spread it out. You don't need more than a quarter teaspoon.
- After a couple of minutes once light bubbles form, gently flip.
- Nice and golden brown.
- Once the puda is ready. Serve with green chutney, ketchup, or red chili sauce.
- Enjoy with green chutney, ketchup, or red chili sauce.
Yummy!! This was incredibly easy to make and so so yummy! This is going to become a staple in our house
Loved this recipe! I didn’t have zucchini or carrots so I subbed spinach, kale and red bell peppers and still tasted great and super healthy!
Loved it added spinach to the mixture. Thanks
I made the besan chilla and served it like pizza to my kids. Just added chopped veggies and make it a little thick so she could eat it like a pizza. Thanks for reminding me about this childhood favorite. Great recipe.
Came out delicious! Used green bell peppers instead of zucchini because that’s what i had on hand. Thank you for the recipe Nisha ?
Thanks so much Priya. So glad this tasted good with bell peppers instead. Yup, just use what you have on hand. xoxo
Hi Nisha,
I recently started following you on IG and I love your feed. Your account was a great find during these tough times when I am struggling to make something new every day. I enjoy cooking and your recipes are great. Made this puda today for breakfast and hubs literally finished 90% of what I made.
Lots of love.
This is an awesome gluten free breakfast or lunch option especially with tea/coffee. I added cabbage as well and some corn and the husband ate it with no complaints!! Thank you for adding to my recipe collection for gluten free options.
Made this recipe and it came out delicious! Growing up I never liked puda, and since I saw you post a recipe I wanted to give it another shot…amazed at how easy it was and how versatile the recipe is! It gave me so much appreciation for my mom too, who used to make them for us when she just didn’t have the time for a “full” dinner. The fact that even though she was pressed for time she still made us fresh, healthy food amazes me…thanks for bringing those connections to my childhood back. Can’t wait to make them for my mom someday soon 🙂
amazing recipe and perfect quantities for an easy, and healthy dinner. i’ve tried to make savory “pancake” recipes in the past like dosa but have failed terribly. this quantity makes it easy enough to flip and just as delicious. also easy to sneak in some good veggies that you’re trying to get rid of.
I tried out Nisha’s recipe for our kids and they LOVED it ❤. I experimented by adding one egg to the mixture for protein, it turned out so DELICIOUS! My kids gobbled it away and kept asking for more ??. Thanks Nisha for the amazing recipe!
Loved this recipe – healthy and good! This is definitely going in my recipe book.
I made it without the green chilli cause it was for my kid, turned out great. Thnks for such easy and supertasty recipe.
Love this recipe!!! Mine turned out sooo delicious! I can’t wait to make again. Definately a good way to use up some veggies. Thanks for the recipe 😃
This is my all time favourite recipes from Nisha. quick and delicious to make! love the addition of zuchini and we have even made this when we only had carrots at home!