Sem Aloo ki sabzi – healthy dry vegetable side dish made from sem ki phalli and potatoes.

Sem Aloo ki sabzi with roti and a glass of chaas and more sabzi in the back.

Surti Papdi sabzi is very popular in Gujarat. Surati papdi is also known as Valor or Walor in Gujarati. Also known as sem ki phalli or Indian Beans. If you know the other name (in your mother tongue) then I would like to know. Please let me know in comment below.

I have added potatoes in this subzi, as we like this combination. And potato goes well with this subzi. You know that you can pair any vegetable with potato in Indian cooking. I have already shared so many Sabzi recipes (dry vegetables) with potato combination and I am adding one more in this list.

For those who don’t know, Valor or surti papdi is very high in dietary fibers, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and vitamin K. When I was in India, my mom makes this once a week when they are in season (winter only). But here in USA, I get this vegetable all year around. So I make it whenever I feel like.

I have used very few dry spices, but still it tastes delicious. Addition of amchur powder and garam masala at the end, give the unique taste to the dish. It is very healthy recipe, so you can make it on everyday basis. It is also a vegan recipe.

I have read from one blog (randomly, so don’t remember the name) that in North India, this sem aloo ki sabzi is prepared almost the same way without onion and garlic.

Check out more sabzi recipes
Crispy bhindi sabzi // Gawar sabzi // Long beans sabzi // Lauki sabzi // Broccoli sabzi

Step By Step Photo Instructions:

1) Wash or rinse sem ki phalli very well. Now using your hand break the top end and remove gently. So you will get this fibrous thing out. Some valor doesn’t have fibrous string while some does. You have to remove it otherwise it won’t taste good at all.

2) Now do the same with other end remove the string from other side too. Then chop them in half inch pieces. If you haven’t removed string, you will feel that while chopping. It is important to remove this string. The feeling of chewing that string is really bad. Trust me. And if it stuck between your teeth, holy crap.

3) Also wash, peel and chop the potato.

Collage of 2 images showing removing veins and chopped.

4) Now heat the oil in pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.

5) Then add turmeric powder.

Collage of 2 images showing adding cumin seeds and turmeric powder in oil.

6) Immediately add chopped valor and potatoes.

7) Now mix it well.

Collage of 2 images showing adding and mixing valor and bateta.

8) Add red chili powder, coriander powder and salt.

9) Again mix it very well. so all the masala and oil is coated well.

Collage of 2 images showing adding spices and mixed.

10) Then cover the pan and cook it till potatoes and valor are tender and cooked.

11) Check by inserting knife or fork, if it inserts easily then it is cooked. As valor gets cooked it gets lighter in color.Don’t forget to stir in between to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Collage of 2 images showing cooking covered and cooked sabzi.

12) Once cooked then add amchur powder and garam masala.

13) Stir well, turn off the stove heat. It is ready to serve.

Collage of 2 images showing adding remaining masala and mixed.

Buy this vegetable in your next grocery trip and make this healthy and delicious Valor Bateta nu Shaak.

Serving suggestion: This sem aloo ki sabzi is dry vegetable subzi, so recommended to serve it with soft rotis. But it also tastes great with paratha or any other Indian flat bread.

Expert Tips:

Valor – it also known as Surti papdi or sem ki phalli. And in English, it known as ‘Indian Beans’. I have used fresh one. But if you don’t get fresh papdi then you can buy frozen one. Here in USA, I have seen frozen packet of this vegetable.
Removing fibrous string from this vegetable is the must step. If it comes in your mouth while eating then it will spoil the taste.
You can skip the addition of potato. And make just sem ki phalli recipe.
Same recipe, procedure and proportion is used to make other vegetables like french beans, long beans.

Surti papdi shaak served in a bowl with a glass of chaas and roti in the back.

Did you try this sem aloo ki sabzi recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.