Hakh (Sag) Now Grown in Pune Commercially

 

It is incredible but true that sag (hakh) has been successfully grown in a farmer's field in Urlikanchan, for the first time, on the outskirts of Pune to the delight of Kashmiris settled there. Conducive climatic conditions there offer ingredients for its cultivation.

The exotic Kashmiri sag made its maiden appearance recently (on December 16 to be exact) on BT Kawade Road, Ghorpadi, near the Pune Camp. Vegetable vendor Ramesh Mudgil was gleeful when his produce had a good sale. A number of inquisitive non-Kashmiris were among those who picked it up after enquiries about the preparation of this exotic vegetable Some restaurants have also evinced keen interest in the new cuisine. 

Delectable Cuisine

Sag is a delectable Kashmiri cuisine. It forms part of the staple diet, along with rice, in the state all around. Kashmiris have an innate preference for it because of its delicacy and nutriment. Wherever they go, they pine for it. In Pune, it has turned out to be a bonanza for them. When word went around that sag has been grown in Pune and is available in the market, Kashmiri Pandits (most of whom have settled in Pune after militancy engulfed the state in 1990) were surprised

Sahibrao Bagade and his two sons, Shivaji and Suryakant, feel highly elated for growing it in their farm. They have also grown another exotic vegetable called sochal, which is much cherished by all Kashmiris, especially women. It is, however, a delicate vegetable and can grow only in certain specific climatic conditions. It is now available only at some pockets in Pune as yet.

 

According to Ms Surekha Kale, a research enthusiast at the Central Research Station (CRS)

-BAIF Development Research Foundation hakh and social have a high protein content. It is good to consume these vegetables for the wear and tear of the body, she says. Sochal, containing 21 percent of protein, is very useful to growing children and pregnant women. The two vegetables, originating from Kashmir, have very good nutritional character, she added. Hakh has 18.42 per cent of protein, she avowed. Sewn in Patches.

After obtaining seeds of these delectable vegetables from Kashmir a few months ago, it was initially grown in earthen places at my residence and some others pots in the vicinity. It was also grown on a patch of land in the kitchen garden of our society's premises. Feeling encouraged, I approached the Agriculture Department. I exuded a great desire to see it grow in abundance in Pune. Mr L.S. Pawar, an official there, asked me to meet Mr H. B. Kanchan, an agriculture technocrat, who has a spacious greenhouse complex at Urlikanchan. He was provided seeds for germination. After nearly three weeks, the seeds sprouted and the produce was delivered to Shivaji and Suryakant for cultivation. They planted the seedlings on Diwali, the auspicious day.

After a month, when I visited their farm, I was amazed to see sag had grown so extensively. A basket of the new produce was sent to Dadar by the Bagades to their main dealer, Dhillip Bhagwan Zende, along with their other vegetables. The samples of sag were given to various restaurants and it was from there that the new vegetable found its way to his clients in Bandra and Goregaon. Pour one or two glasses of water into it.  depending on the quantity of sag Then pour 36) some salt and green chilis into it. When the water boils, pour all sag into it after cleaning and washing it. Allow it to boil for 20 or 25 minutes, are no hard and fast rules for its preparation. It's The method of its preparation is simple. Pour soup is good for health:

Both Shivan and Suryakant are enthusiastic and imbued with a desire to grow the exotic depending on the quantity of the vegetable. There vegetable and sell it in large quantities

some oil in a kettle Heat it and keep it lukewarm (The author resides at 8 Livstonia-3, Palm 

Groves, B T Kawade Road Ghorpadi, Pune- 36

DISCLAIMER: 

The views expressed in the Article above are JN Raina personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy:- JN Raina and Koshur Samachar  2008,May