Seppankizhangu Roast | Elephant Yam Roast

“Crispy, spicy, and deeply comforting — Seppankizhangu Roast that steals the show!”

A beloved South Indian side dish featuring tender elephant yam roasted to crispy perfection with mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, and flavorful spices. This roast pairs wonderfully with rice, sambar, dosa, or idli.

📝 Ingredients

• Seppankizhangu (Elephant Yam) – ½ kg
• Rice flour – 1 to 2 tbsp
• Sambar powder – 1 to 2 tsp (adjust to taste)
• Salt – to taste
• Hing (Asafoetida) – a pinch
• Oil (sesame or sunflower) – for cooking
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Ghee – 1 tbsp

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Clean the Seppankizhangu

Soak the yam pieces in water for 10–15 minutes to remove soil. Rinse thoroughly under running water.

2. Boil the Yam

Bring water to a boil in a kadai or deep pan. Add yam pieces and cook for 5–10 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and set aside.

3. Peel & Cut

Once cooled, peel off the skin and slice into thick rounds.

4. Coat with Rice Flour

Toss yam slices with rice flour evenly. Rest for 5 minutes or refrigerate for 5–10 minutes.

5. Tempering

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add mustard seeds and urad dal. When they splutter and turn golden, add a pinch of hing.

6. Add & Season the Yam

Add coated yam slices to the oil. Sprinkle sambar powder and salt. Toss gently to coat.

7. Cook Covered

Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes to absorb spices.

8. Roast Uncovered

Remove lid and roast on medium flame for 10–15 minutes, flipping occasionally until golden and crisp on all sides.

9. Finish with Ghee

Add 1 tbsp ghee, mix gently, cover for a minute to retain aroma.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with steamed rice, rasam, or sambar.
• Great as a crunchy side with dosa or idli.

💡 Tips

• Use thick yam slices to prevent breakage while roasting.
• Adjust sambar powder for preferred spice level.
• Sesame oil adds authentic flavor; sunflower oil works well too.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan for even roasting and crispiness.
• can also add home made curry powder for taste enhancement.

👥 Serves

3 to 4 people as a side dish.

Video Tutorial