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A bowl of Yellow Split Pea Dal topped with sauteed zucchini, tomato and spices.

Zucchini Tomato Yellow Split Pea Dal

Zucchini Tomato Yellow Split Pea Dal is a long time favourite dal recipe. The spiced zucchini-tomato mixture on top is next level!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: East Indian
Keyword: split pea dal
Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 jalapeños (or 3 serrano chiles)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 lb yellow split peas, rinsed
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • inch piece cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt

ZUCCHINI TOPPING

  • 6 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 zucchini, cut in 1-inch cubes

TOMATO TOPPING

  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ onion, thinly sliced
  • 2-3 tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Combine onion, jalapeños, water, ginger and garlic in food processor and puree.
  • Pour puree into a large pot and add water, yellow split peas, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, turmeric and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until peas are tender, 35-40 minutes. Discard cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon. Cover and set aside.

ZUCCHINI

  • Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add zucchini and cook until brown, about 2 minutes. Stir and cook another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt. Put on top of dal without stirring.

TOMATOES

  • Heat oil in skillet over high heat.
  • Add mustard seeds. When they begin to sputter and fennel and cumin seeds. Use a lid to contain the mustard seeds if needed. Stir spices until brown, about 2 minutes.
  • Add onion and cook until dark brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes to skillet and cook until warm and softened, about 3 minutes. Mound on top of zucchini.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Notes

*This is a big recipe. I sometimes make half the yellow split pea part but I still make the full amount of zucchini and tomatoes because I like it so much. Adjust to your liking.