8 Indian substitutes for imported vegetables that could save you money
by Naini Setalvad
With the rise in prices of various vegetables, it is getting tougher each day to buy them especially imported ones which are even costlier than the Indian varieties. You may feel that since they are expensive, they are better for your health and are more nutritious. But that isn't really the case. They are pricey as they aren't grown in India and have to be imported from other countries. Though they have various health benefits, you can still reap them in with Indian substitutes which are cheaper and readily available in the market. Nutritionist Naini Setalvad tells us how you can cut costs by replacing expensive, imported veggies with cheaper Indian substitutes.
Lettuce
Lettuce is used in various salads, sandwiches, etc but it doesn't come cheap. You can use spinach or the Indian salad patta as both have a high nutrient content and provide similar taste in a salad. Instead of chopping the leaves, tear them. Spinach has high vitamin content like vitamin A, E, C, B2, B6, etc but is not so high in number of calories. (Read: 6 healthy salad dressing recipes for weight loss)
Chinese cabbage
Replace this with spinach again. Chop them with a knife and add it to your salads. Once the herbs and other condiments are added, it will taste the same. Spinach will protect you from free radical damage which harms the cells in your body.
Jalapeno
A favourite pizza topping for many, jalapeno is a slightly spicy vegetable which goes well in sandwiches as well. But if you can't find them or think they are too steep to invest in, opt for bhavnagari peppers instead. Marinate these in lemon and mustard and then chop them finely. Toss them on any dish you want to give a distinct flavour.
Prunes
Though you may not get the same properties, prunes can be substituted with dried figs or the Indian jardaloo (a kind of apricot). The iron content is high in both and the taste is also sweet, similar to prunes.
Cous cous
Broken wheat or whole barley seeds when soaked in water can be used instead of cous cous in dishes. Broken wheat is rich in fibre and a good source of iron, phosphorous, vitamins, minerals, etc. It is good for diabetics as well.
Zucchini
Bottle gourd or doodhi can be used in place of zucchini. Doodhi is good for people on a weight loss diet as it is low in calories. It is also good for people suffering from heart ailments as it keeps the cholesterol levels low. (Read: Take the natural route to heart health – home remedies that work!)
Parsley
The stems of coriander or dhaniya and parsley sprigs taste very similar and also look the same. They can be sprinkled on dishes as a garnish. Both of these have antioxidant properties which prevent free radical damage to the cells in our body. They also prevent from various ailments and slow down the ageing process.
Broccoli
Broccoli can be replaced with cauliflower as both of them are cruciferous vegetables belonging to the same family. They taste good in a variety of dishes likes bakes, soups, salads and even sautéed. (Read: 7 inexpensive food items to boost your fertility)
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