Among Bengalis, Shidol Shutki /dried fish with crunchy pumpkin leaves is a favorite meal. People from Eastern India, particularly East Bengal (Bangladesh), enjoy it. Due to the pungent scent of fish, some people don’t like it, but I must point out that the smell disappears after cooking. I have personally made dried fish fritters out of pumpkin leaves, and they are of exceptional quality and flavor. The pumpkin leaves, however, ought to be delicate. If pumpkin leaves are unavailable, you can also use squash/ chow chow leaves to make these fritters. Adding a larger quantity of onion and garlic juice enhances the flavor of the fritters.

Ingredients for Shidol Shutki Mach With Pumpkin Leaf Fritter Recipe:

• 8-9 pumpkin leaves
• 3 onion (chopped)
• 4-5 green chilies
• 7-8 dried Shidol Shutki fish (Puthi mach/fish or in English called Pool Barb)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 
• salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder 
• 15-20 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup maida/flour
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• mustard oil

Ingredients for making batter:

• 1/2 cups flour 
• 1/2 cup rice flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 
• pinch of salt
• water as needed
• 1teaspoon refined oil 

How to make Shidol Shutki Mach With Pumpkin Leaf Fritter:

Preparation of Shidol:

1. Remove the thin layer from the leaves.

2. Clean the leaves with water thoroughly.

3. After cleaning, remove the access water by pressing gently with your palms.

4. Remove the fillets from the fish and clean thoroughly 2-3 times.

5. Take a kadhai and heat mustard oil.

6. Add garlic paste stair for a minute.

7. Add onion (chopped) and saute for 3-4 minutes.

8. salt to taste.

9. After 3-4 minutes add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and green chilies.

10. Add the Puthi mach / fish one by one mix, and cook for 10-12 minutes over medium flame.

11. After 10-12 minutes when the mixture separates from the oil and a nice aroma will come out turn off the flame and keep aside.

For Batter:

In the flour and rice flour, turmeric powder, salt, water as needed, and oil. combine them and make a thick batter.

How To Make Pumpkin Leaf Parcel:

1. Spread the leaf on a plain surface.

2. Take a spoonful of Shidol mach mixture in the centre of the leaf.

3. Wrap the leaf from all sides.

4. Repeat the same process for the rest leaves.

Frying the parcel:

1. Heat mustard oil in the kadhai.

2. Deep the wrap in the batter.

3. When the oil heats up pour the parcel one by one in the oil. Fry over a low-medium flame.

4. Fry both sides until the parcel turns brown.

5. Fry all the other parcels one by one.

Serving Suggestions:

It is preferable to serve with steamed rice where you can enjoy its actual aroma as well as the spiciness.

FAQ On Shidol Shutki Mach:

Q. What is shutki mach in English?

A. Shutki Mach is a dried fish, which is prepared by drying it under the sun.

Q. Is there any health benefit of shutki mach or dried fish?

A. Dried fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. These are the healthful fats that our bodies require. They are known as “good fats”.

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