Vaal (Field beans)

Vaal beans is widely grown in Raigad district, mainly, Alibaug and nearby region.

Farming –

It is cultivated during Rabi season. Once the harvesting of rice crop is completed after Dassehra or Diwali festival,the field is prepared thoroughly by giving two to three ploughings using tractor. The soil is turned and loosened. The soil is rich in moisture content. The vaal beans seeds are sown in this soil. Warmth and moisture in the soil favours the plant growth. This crop is a cool season crop. This crop starts fruiting from onset of spring season. In villages, there are well-organised markets held on a particular day of the week, the weekly market or ‘athavadi bazaar’. These markets are not only held in villages, towns but also in big cities too. All types of pulses are available in this market. The Val bean from Konkan have different flavour than from the Deccan plateau.

Its quantity stored is such that it can last for one year. These stored Vaal are used as and when required. Some people apply red soil to control insect infestation.

Food Items –

‘Popti’: It is a village style barbeque in an earthern pot. The pods of Val, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and special edible leaves are placed in an earthern pot. The cooked Vaal pods from this pot are very tasty and toothsome.

There are many popular Maharashtrian recipes which use Val bean as its ingredient. One of the most popular ones is ‘Vaalache Birde’. Recipes prepared from Vaal are everybody’s favourite in Konkan.

This versatile ingredient complements a wide variety of recipes. So, don’t forget to buy ‘Vaal’ when you visit Alibaug.vaal bean