Unlock India’s Secret Saags: 7 Delicious Leafy Wonders for Winter Cooking

Indian winters call for comforting, nutrient-rich saag dishes, traditionally dominated by Sarson Ka Saag. However, several other regional saags bring unique flavors and health benefits to the table. Bathua saag, rich in iron and folate, offers a tangy twist from North India with simple tempering of garlic and mustard oil. Palak saag paired with makki roti remains a Punjab favorite, combining iron-rich spinach cooked slowly with spices and butter. The Northeast brings lai saag, stir-fried with mustard oil and bamboo shoot, perfect with rice and fish curry.

 

Other nutritious options include radish leaf saag, which uses often discarded tops sautéed with ajwain for digestion, hara chana saag mixing green chickpeas with spinach and bathua for protein, and kalmi saag from Bengal flavored with panch phoron spices. Chaulai (amaranth) saag, available across India, is vibrant and high in calcium, great for bone health.

 

Key Highlights:

These saags beautifully highlight India's regional diversity in winter greens, delivering comfort with nutrition.

 

Sources: NDTV Food, Veg Recipes of India, Slurrp, Raody Recipes​