Chaat is a beloved category of savory Indian street food snacks that burst with sweet, spicy, tangy, and crunchy flavors. While chaat is traditionally made with fried dough or puffed rice, this unique palak patta chaat recipe uses healthy spinach leaves in place of a fried base.
By pairing fresh spinach with classic chaat toppings and chutneys, palak patta chaat offers a nourishing twist on a cherished snack. Both flavorful and nutritious, this spinach leaf chaat makes an irresistible appetizer or light meal.
In this recipe, we will walk through how to assemble each component of palak patta chaat step-by-step. Read on to learn the secrets behind crafting this mouthwatering spinach snack!
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh spinach, washed
1 medium tomato, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1⁄2 cup chickpeas, boiled
1⁄2 cup boiled potatoes, cubed
1 green chili, minced
2 tbsp roasted peanuts
Chaat masala
Cilantro leaves
For Sweet Chutney
1⁄2 cup dates, pitted
1 tsp jaggery powder
1 inch ginger, chopped
1 green chili
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp water
For Spicy Green Chutney
1 cup cilantro
1⁄4 cup mint leaves
1 inch ginger
1 green chili
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients
1. Wash the spinach well and pat dry. Remove and discard any thick stems. Keep the leaves whole.
2. Dice the tomatoes and onion into small pieces. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
3. For the sweet chutney, blend the dates, jaggery, ginger, green chili, salt and water into a smooth paste.
4. For the spicy green chutney, blend the cilantro, mint, ginger, green chili, lime juice and salt. Add water if needed for blending.
Assemble the Chaat
1. Lay out a few spinach leaves on a plate or in a bowl. Sprinkle some chickpeas, potatoes, tomato, and onion over the leaves.
2. Add a sprinkle of cilantro leaves and green chilies. Top with a pinch of chaat masala and roasted peanuts.
3. Drizzle both the sweet date chutney and spicy green chutney over the chaat.
4. Add another layer of spinach leaves and repeat the layering process until you reach the top of your vessel.
5. Finish with a final sprinkle of chaat masala, cilantro, and peanuts.
6. Serve the palak patta chaat immediately while the spinach leaves are still crisp. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Palak Patta Chaat
– Use fresh young spinach leaves for the best texture. Avoid old or wilted leaves.
– The spinach leaves act as the crispy base, so don’t overdress them.
– Make the sweet and spicy chutneys fresh for maximum flavor.
– Add chaat masala just before serving so the spice blend stays crunchy.
– Feel free to use additional chaat toppings like sev or fruit.
– Serve palak patta chaat immediately before the spinach leaves wilt.
Palak Patta Chaat Health Benefits
Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens, providing many benefits:
– Excellent source of vitamin K, A, C, E, B2, B6, iron, magnesium, and manganese.
– Packed with antioxidant compounds like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.
– High protein and fiber content keep you full and satisfied.
– Low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat.
This light yet filling palak patta chaat makes an energizing snack option for any time of day. It’s a nutritious twist on a beloved Indian street food!
Conclusion
Palak patta chaat brings together the classic sweet, spicy, tangy flavors of chaat onto a base of fresh spinach leaves instead of fried dough. Both hearty and healthy, this unique snack highlights the diversity of Indian cuisine.
Whip up a batch of palak patta chaat to refresh your chaat repertoire or get more greens into your diet. Either way, the innovative flavors and textures will leave you craving more!