indian salad Archives - Indian Vegan Cookbook

Khamang Kakdi (Cucumber Peanut Salad)

Cucumbers are a great fruit to keep you hydrated because they are 95% water. So ‘eating’ your water is a great way to keep that thirst away. They are low in calories and rich in fiber so aid in digestion and help you stay regular and avoid constipation. The phytonutrients (plant chemicals) in cucumbers that are called lignans may help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and some cancers. The antioxidants such as beta carotene in cucumbers can help fight free radicals in your body, unpaired electrons that damage cells and generally lead to disease. They have small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A that help blood clot and keep your bones healthy respectively. Vitamin A also enhances the function of vision, the immune system, and reproduction. It also makes sure organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys work the way they should.

Kobi chi Koshimbir with Onion (Cabbage Salad with Onion)

One-vegetable salads are a common part of Indian meals. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s a great source of vitamins C, K, A, folate, calcium, iron and potassium. It is also very high in fiber and is a great ingredient to help smooth bowel movement and helps cure constipation if eaten raw like in this koshimbir (salad). It has a low glycemic index (GI) keeping you satiated for a long time and is therefore good to maintain sugar levels.

Gajarachi Koshimbir (Carrot Salad)

One-vegetable salads are a common part of Indian meals. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and contain high amounts of vitamins C and K. Vitamin A supports eye health, and vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, which strengthens skin. They also contain plant compounds called carotenoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your skin from damage by fighting unstable molecules called free radicals (which are responsible for aging.) The potassium and antioxidants in carrots help lower blood pressure and promote heart health. Compounds in carrot juice have even been shown to trigger cancer cell death in some test-tube studies. Apart from all these, as a rich source of vitamins A, B6, and C, carrots help strengthen your immune system.

Tomato Raita

Usually red when mature, tomatoes can also be eaten while they are still green, yellow or orange. It’s best to buy locally grown unripened tomatoes and keep them for a few days to allow them to ripen naturally as these taste better. Tomatoes are a good source of insoluble fibre, which is not digested by the body but helps in moving food through the digestive system and thus assisting bowel movement. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and improves the immune system. Lycopene, another antioxidant, found in large amounts in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of certain cancers. Beta carotene is another antioxidant found in tomatoes that often gives foods a yellow or orange hue. Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in our body and is believed to help improve eyesight. Chlorogenic acid in tomatoes is a powerful antioxidant compound, which may lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels. Naringenin is a flavonoid found in tomato skin, which has been shown to decrease inflammation and protect against various diseases. Tomatoes also contain a good amount of potassium, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Vitamin K1 in tomatoes is important for blood clotting and bone health, and folate is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. Moreover, tomatoes are high in water content, which helps keep you hydrated.