The moment one hears about Maharashtrian food the only thing that comes to mind is the most popular and signature snack Vada pav and pav bhaji. Yes, both Mumbai and Maharashtrian cuisine is incomplete without Vada pav, but there is more to Maharashtra’s food than this popular snack.
The culinary culture of Maharashtra is wide and so the food habit is different and unique as well. While fish curry and rice dominate the Konkan region, Vidarbha is known for its fiery and spicy food.
Wheat, rice, jawar, bajra, lentils, seasonal fruits, and vegetables along with peanuts and coconut in most of the dishes are aptly included to fulfill the nutritional requirement of the body. A traditional Maharashtrian Thali will have rice, chapati, dry vegetable, curry, lentil, pickles, chutney, salad, and a dessert. All the flavors, sweet, sour, tangy, and savory are packed in one.
Chef Vishnu Manohar, the owner of the famous chain of restaurants ‘Vishnu Ji ki rasoi’ who has recreated many Marathi cuisines and specializes in Maharashtrian tadka, said, “ The Marathi cuisine is prepared in such a way that the properties of food are intact, the vessels used are special and mostly cooked in the open vessel to incite the taste buds.”
Explaining further he said, “The food is served as per the climate. Sesame seed is used during the Sankranti festival as it boosts immunity; also sol kadhi is served during summer as it has a cooling effect on the body. The sprouts, vegetables, and different chutneys have been meticulously planned in our everyday food.”
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“The spices play a major role in shaping the food and typical Maharashtrian spices like Kala masala, goda, and garam masala not only add flavors but uniqueness to any dish. From Puran Poli, aamti, and modak to spicy and tangy varieties of fishes, there is a lot for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians,” added the Chef.
While there is food for every occasion in Maharashtra, the different combinations and proportions of spices bring in a lot of variations to the same cuisine. The coastal region here uses almost every form of coconut like grated, dried, fried, coconut milk, and even paste. Kokum, tamarind, raw mango, and amsul make the food taste different. Sol kadhi and kombadi vade are two popular dishes of this region.
The northwest region namely Jalgaon, Malegaon, and Nashik is famous for extremely spicy curries. Peanut oil, dried coconut, and lavangi mirchi are an integral part of any preparation. The ‘tarri’ (spicy red oil) floats atop. Vangyacha Bharit (Baigan Bharta) is popular along with the dessert Khaprachi Puran Poli which gives much-needed relief to the fiery mouth.
Another spicy cuisine that needs special mention is Kolhapur food which to is very spicy. Kolhapuri Mutton Sukka and Kohlapuri Missal are something you cannot miss out on if you are an ardent food lover.
Last but not the least, Deccan plateau region of Maharashtra offers different varieties of bhakris which could be eaten with preparation of lentils and different spices.
Talking about how the bhakris originated, chef Vishnu Manohar explains “The Deccan region of Maharashtra received little or no rainfall and vegetables too were not always available so people devised a way where the food could be stored for long while they travel for work. Hence, bhakris were made which can easily be stored for ten days and can be eaten with lentils made with spices. Both bhakris and lentils lasts for long.”
After having all the spicy and fiery food it’s time to savor some sweets, Maharashtrians have sweet tooth and they love to relish on modaks which is widely available during Ganesh Chaturthi. The steamed and fried modaks both are very popular and delicious.
The Amarkhanda made with yogurt and mangoes is a summer treat along with Basundi which is widely loved by one and all. Made with milk, it resembles rabri and is eaten with puri.
Though there is a lot to offer very few authentic dishes are available in popular restaurants across the state. The unexplored food of Maharashtra needs to be explored and highlighted on a bigger platform so that it is available to everyone who truly wants to get a taste of authentic cuisine.
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