Nimona, A Winter Stew From India’s Gangetic Plains That Celebrates Green Peas

By Aditi Saraswat

December 13, 2025

Nimona is a comforting curry hailing from Uttar Pradesh, prepared with coarsely ground green peas, potatoes, and simple spices. Cooked in mustard oil, it is a perfect winter dish that goes beautifully with steamed rice or roti. 

Ingredients

2 cups fresh green peas 2 medium potatoes, peeled & cubed 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 tomatoes, finely chopped 2–3 green chillies 1-inch ginger 4–5 garlic cloves 3 tbsp mustard oil ½ tsp cumin seeds ¼ tsp hing ½ tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp coriander powder ½ tsp red chilli powder ½–1 tsp garam masala Salt to taste 2–2½ cups water Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Step 1

Grind the peas coarsely without water. Blend ginger, garlic and green chillies separately to make a rough paste.

Step 2

In a pan, heat mustard oil until smoky. Cool it slightly, add cumin seeds and hing. Once they splutter, add chopped onions and sauté till golden.

Step 3

Add the ginger–garlic–chilli paste to this and sauté for a minute. Add tomatoes, cook until soft, till the oil separates from the masala.

Step 4

Add turmeric, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt to the base. Stir well, then add the cubed potatoes. Cook for 3–4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.

Step 5

To this, add coarsely ground peas and cook with masala for about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in water, mix well and boil it for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6

Cover and simmer on a low flame till potatoes turn soft and the curry gets a thick consistency. Finish with garam masala and coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or roti.