Green vegetables list
Here is a simple Jain-friendly list of green vegetables (hara saag-bhaji), excluding kanda-mool like onion, garlic, potato, etc.
Leafy greens (saag)
- Spinach (Palak)
- Fenugreek leaves (Methi)
- Amaranth leaves (Chaulai/Rajgira bhaji)
- Coriander leaves (Dhaniya)
- Mint (Pudina)
- Dill (Suva/Sowa)
- Bathua leaves (Chenopodium)
- Mustard greens (Sarson)
- Colocasia leaves (Arbi ke patte; for some people it may cause itchiness—use carefully)
- Curry leaves (Kadi patta)
Green vegetables (non-leafy)
- Okra/Lady’s finger (Bhindi)
- Bottle gourd (Lauki/Doodhi)
- Ridge gourd (Turai)
- Sponge gourd (Gilki)
- Snake gourd (Chichinda)
- Pointed gourd (Parwal)
- Ivy gourd (Tindora/Tendli)
- Bitter gourd (Karela)
- Ash gourd/White gourd (Petha)
- Cucumber (Kheera)
- Zucchini (green)
- Green capsicum/Bell pepper (Shimla mirch)
- Green brinjal varieties (Baingan – light/green types)
- French beans
- Cluster beans (Guvar)
- Broad beans/Flat beans (Papdi/Val papdi)
- Green peas (Hare matar)
- Snow peas/Snap peas
Important Jain notes
- Avoid roots and bulbs (kanda-mool): onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, radish, spring onion, etc.
- Avoid mushrooms and other fungi.
- Many Jain families reduce or avoid leafy greens during Paryushan/Chaturmas or on certain tithis; follow your family’s achar and panth maryada.