India shops groceries in American Stores

Indians living in large metropolitan area, can visit an 'Indian Store' full of many familiar items. Indians living in suburbs and rural areas don't have the same luxury. I will try to address some of basic items available in typical American Grocery stores.

Produce

I will list these items in order of importance in Indian Cuisine.

1. Onions

The cooking onions in India look like red onions, but they are not same as the red Bermuda onions available in United States. Indian onions are in between Shallots and Yellow Spanish onions. I just use Yellow Spanish onions for cooking.

The 'Sambar Onions' are eaten raw in salads. The Sambar onion is very close to Shallots.

2. Potatoes

The cooking potatoes in India are close to Russet potatoes in texture and taste. Over the years, I have also used Idaho Baking potatoes.

3. Tomatoes

The tomatoes used in India are close to the Plum tomatoes, also called Roma tomatoes.

4. Hari Mirch

The fresh green chili peppers are not readily available. Serrano makes a good substitute.

5. Pumpkin

Indian Pumpkin (Kaddu) is not available. The American pumpkin can not be used. The Butternut winter squash is close to Kaddu.

6. Eggplants

Three varieties are used in India: Long and skinny, small and squatty, and Punjabi Bharta. The Punjabi Bharta eggplant is used to make the famous Bharta. The Punjabi Bharta eggplant is readily available in most of the stores. The other varieties can be bought at a nearby Chinese grocery store.

7. Carrots

In India, we have three varieties: Red, Purple (used to make Kanji), yellowish red. The Purple and yellowish red carrots are not available. The carrots in United States can be used for red carrots.

8. Mustard Greens

Fresh Mustard Greens (Sarson) may not be available. These items are sold as cleaned and frozen.

9. Mushrooms

The Indian mushroom (Khumbi), is similar to the white button mushrooms. Khumbi is meatier.

10. Sweet Potatoes

In United States, there are two common varieties: Orange colored Yams, and White. The sweet potatoes in India (Shakar Kandi) are in between these two varieties. I use white sweet potatoes.

11. What's in a name

What we call Orange (Santra), are sold as Tangelos.

What we call Mausumbi, are sold as Oranges

What we call lemon (Nimboo) are called limes in United States.

12. Size Matters

Bananas in United States are at least 50% larger than in India

Papayas in United states are at least 60% smaller than in India

12. Common produce

Garlic, Ginger, Cilantro (Hara Dhania), Bell Pepper (Simla Mirch), Summer squash (Torai), Cucumber (Kheera), English cucumber (Kakri), Okra (Bhindi), Spinach (Paalak), Peas (Mattar), Gobhi (Cauliflower), Pineapple, Coconut

Dairy

1. Yogurt

The Indian Yogurt (Dahi) has only two live cultures and no stabilizers. It is not difficult to make Dahi at home. You may use 'Natural Yogurt with live culture' sold in United States as a close substitute.

2. Butter

In India Yogurt with live culture is churned to make Butter (Makhan) that is white in color. In United States, the cream is harvested from the milk and churned to make 'Sweet Cream Butter' that is yellow in color. Both the color and taste are different. You can make Makhan at home. For cooking applications, you can use Sweet Cream Butter.

3. Butter Milk

In India Yogurt with live culture is churned to make Chach or Lassi. In United States, culture is added to Milk for taste and pasteurized. American Buttermilk does not have the live culture. The mimicked taste is acceptable substitute.

4. Clarified Butter

Ghee (Clarified Butter) is made from Makhan. Ghee is not sold in United States. You can make Ghee at home from Sweet Cream butter.

5. Cheese

Indian cheese (Paneer, Chenna) are heat/acid-coagulated milk products. Indian cheese are not aged. You can make Paneer Chenna at home. The Ricotta cheese sold in United States is close to texture and taste to Paneer.

6. Dry Milk

Common dry milk sold in United States is fat free. In the Mexican section, you can buy the whole dry milk, under the name 'Nido'

Beans

1. Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans (Kabuli Chana)

Normally, these are not available as dried beans, they are available in cans instead. Canned Garbanzo beans can save time to make Cholay.

2. Red Kidney beans (Rajma)

Dried as wells as canned beans are available.

3. Mexican Black beans (Negro Frijol)

Indian Urad (black Matpe) is not available in American stores. Mexican beans are sold in cans and come close to Urad. The next best substitute is Black turtle beans.

4. Common Beans

Lentil (Masoor), Split dried green and yellow peas. An interesting note: dried green and yellow peas are exported from United States to India.

Flours

1. Bread Flour (Atta)

Indian bread flour (Atta) is not available in United States. You can sift together equal amounts of 'Whole wheat flour' and 'All Purpose flour' to use as Atta.

2. Pastry Flour (Maida)

Pastry flour and white cake flour can easily be used as Maida. If these flours are not available in the store, 'All Purpose Flour' may be used as a close substitute.

Meats

1. Mutton

Mutton is not readily sold in United States Article about Lamb. Lamb is readily available and can be used in almost all the recipes.

2. Chicken

Chicken is readily available in United States for various Indian dishes Article about Chicken .

Spices

1. Salt

The pickling salt in United States comes close to the salt used in India. I use Kosher Salt because of added anti-caking compounds.

The Rock salt in United States is not same as Kala Namak. Kala Namak is not available.

2. Chili Peppers

In United States, Chili refers to a Texan dish. The Cayenne peppers and Red Crushed peppers are same as Lal Mirch.

3. Bay Leaf

The bay leaf sold in United States is not same as Indian Bay leaf (Tej Patta)

4. Readily available spices

Cumin, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Mace, Cloves, Turmeric, Ginger powder, Black peppercorn, Green Cardamom

5. Spices available on the internet

Coriander, Fenugreek seeds, Fenugreek Leafs (Kasoori Patta), Curry leaf, Dry sour mango powder (Amchoor).