Dabeli, kutchi dabeli or double roti is a popular snack food of India, originating in the Kutch or Kachchh region of Gujarat. It is a sweet snack made by mixing boiled potatoes with a special dabeli masala, putting the mixture in a ladi pav, and serving it with chutneys made from tamarind, date, garlic, red chilies, etc. It is garnished with pomegranate and roasted peanuts. Dabeli literally means "pressed" in Gujarati language. It is said to be invented by one Keshavji Gabha Chudasama alias Kesha Malam, resident of Mandvi,and Mohan bavaji mandviKutch in the 1960s. When he started business he sold a dabeli at one anna or six paisa. His shop is still there in Mandvi and business is now carried by his next generations. Dabeli thus has its origin in Mandvi, a city of the Kutch region and even today dabeli masala made in the city are said to be most authentic. The dabeli is also, therefore, known as Kachchhi dabeli or Kutchi dabeli taking its cue from the region of its origin. Bhuj and Nakhatrana towns of Kutch are also known for authentic dabeli apart from Mandvi.
Preparation
Combine the dabeli masala, meethi chutney and a little water in a bowl and mix well.
Heat the oil in a non-stick pan, add the prepared dabeli masala mixture, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring continuously.
The bun is heated on a pan and then it is filled with the filling of boiled potato mixture, dabeli masala and chutney.
Further notes
Dabeli masala, which is the main ingredient of the dish, is readily available in most of the cities all over India, sold under various brand names mainly manufactured and packed in Kutch. The dabeli masala made from Mandvi and Bhuj are preferred by people for their taste and authenticity. This dabeli masala is a dry-paste made from dried red-chillies, black-pepper powder, dried coconut, salt, clove, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, turmeric, elachi, badiyan, black-salt, tej-patta and other garam masalas is a specially prepared masala. The debeli masala once made or purchased from shops can be stored and used for over a period of six to twelve months.
Chutney is an essential part of almost all type of Indian cuisine and these type of chutneys can be prepared in advance and stored and used for at least a fortnight. Now-a-days specially preserved chutney packets are available also in shops in major cities of India and are exported to other countries by some Indian food companies.
Sev referred above is a type of Indian farsan, which is readily available in farsan shops in all over India and also in other countries, where it is being exported by companies like Haldiram's and others.
Cooking time
With ready-made dabeli masala, chutneys made-in-advance, Sev readily available, roasted pea-nuts, pomegranate and boiled potato, dabeli hardly takes 8–10 minutes to be prepared and as such has become a popular Indian fast food.
