Bharli Mirchi

Stuffed green chillies — large, mildly hot banana chillies or anaheim peppers slit lengthwise without breaking apart, filled with a stuffing of dry-roasted peanut powder, sesame seeds, freshly grated coconut, coriander powder, cumin, red chilli powder, jaggery, and tamarind paste mixed to a firm, aromatic paste, and shallow-fried in oil in a covered pan until the chilli exterior is blistered and tender while the stuffing inside cooks through and the filling's fat seeps into the chilli. The sweet-sour-spicy-nutty filling against the mildly hot chilli exterior is a flavour combination unique to Maharashtra and specifically beloved in Vidarbha. Eaten as a side dish with rice and dal; also served as a starter alongside bhakri at traditional Maharashtrian feasts. The peanut-sesame-coconut filling is the signature of Vidarbha's stuffed vegetable tradition.