Zucchini Chana dal in Instant Pot is a quick and delicious, protein-filled one-pot meal that’s ready in less than 20 minutes. There is nothing as comforting as a lentil curry on a busy day. The addition of zucchini makes this dal healthier and wholesome.
Zucchini Chana dal in Instant Pot
Lentil is a part of our daily menu in some form or the other. Being a South Indian, I have grown up eating dal on an everyday basis. Mostly in the form of Rasam, Sambar or Kootu. As Vegetarians, lentil is a great source of protein in our diet. Lentils are extremely versatile and there are numerous delicious dishes that can be made out of them. This Instant Pot Zucchini Dal is perfect for a quick, one-pot meal. Makes a great weeknight dinner on a busy day.
This Zucchini Chana Dal recipe is a variation of a simple dal curry with the addition of zucchini in it. Back when I was in India, I had no idea about zucchini. After moving out of India, I started using this vegetable in a lot of everyday recipes. This dal is one of my favourite recipes to use zucchinis in. Another one is Zucchini Boats which is another amazing Vegetarian meal. Do try it if you haven’t.
Zucchini blends so well in Indian Recipes. Resembles Bottle Gourd or Cucumber and can easily be used in a lot of regular everyday recipes. Some examples are Dal, Kootu, sambar, Kootu , Raita etc.
Benefits of Zucchini
Zucchini has high water content which is good for the Digestive System
Rich in Anti-Oxidants and protects against Inflmmation
Good for your heart
Low in Calories and High in Fiber
Boosts Energy and improves Eye Health
Ingredients for this recipe
Step by Step Instrcutions
Wash and soak 1/2 cup Chana Dal for 30 minutes. Press Saute on Instant Pot. Add ghee/oil. Once it turns hot, add cumin seeds and red chilli. Let it crackle. Add slit green chilli, finely chopped ginger and garlic. Saute for a minute. Add finely chopped onion. Saute till it turns light brown. Add roughly chopped tomato. Once it turns lightly mushy, add chopped zucchini.
Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder. Mix well. Add soaked and drained chana dal. Add 1 cup water. Check for spices and salt. Adjust if needed.
Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 10 minutes.
This timing ensures that the Dal is well cooked but retains its texture to an extent.
Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.
Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and lime juice (optional). Mix well and serve hot along with some Roti or Rice.
Notes
In this recipe, I have used chana dal. Alternatively, you can use toor dal ,split yellow moong dal, masoor dal or a mixture of all these lentils.
You can skip onion and garlic in this recipe if you prefer.
Make sure you chop the zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Only then, you can feel the texture of the zucchini in the dal.
If you chop it too small, the zucchini will get mashed completely.
You can also use chayote, bottlegourd in place of Zucchini.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious Zucchini Dal tastes amazing with Plain Rice or Rotis. You can also serve it with some mild pulao like Coconut Milk Pulao,
Millet Spinach Pulao.
You can have this Instant Pot Zucchini Dal on its own as a meal as well. Tastes delicious.
Other Recipes you may like
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Zucchini Chana Dal in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 medium Zucchini around 3 cups chopped into medium- sized pieces.
- 1 medium Onion finely chopped
- 1 medium Tomato roughly chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 1 inch Ginger finely chopped
- 2 slit Green Chillies
- 1/2 cup Chana Dal
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tsp Oil / Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 Red Chilli
- Salt as needed
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash and soak 1/2 cup Chana Dal for 30 minutes.
- Press Saute on Instant Pot. Add ghee/oil. Once it turns hot, add cumin seeds and red chilli. Let it crackle. Add slit green chilli, finely chopped ginger and garlic. Saute for a minute.
- Add finely chopped onion. Saute till it turns light brown. Add roughly chopped tomato. Once it turns lightly mushy, add chopped zucchini.
- Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder. Mix well.
- Add soaked and drained chana dal. Add 1 cup water. Check for spices and salt. Adjust if needed.
- Close the lid on the pot and turn the pressure valve to SEALING position. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 10 minutes. This timing ensures that the Dal is well cooked but retains its texture to an extent.
- Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and squeeze in some lime juice. Serve with rice or roti.