Vegetables

With such a large percentage of the population being vegetarian, and with such a wealth of produce on offer, it is little surprise that Indian cooking specializes in truly stunning vegetable dishes. From deep-fried snacks through to curries, the recipes make wonderful use of everything from cauliflower, potatoes and peas to more exotic and unusual varieties, such as okra, bottle gourds and aubergines. When it comes to Indian cooking, vegetables are simply indispensable.

Most of the vegetables used in Indian cooking are commonplace and widely available, while others, such as bottle gourds, may be a little harder to track down. Asian and African stores and markets are often a good place to look for them.