Page 84 - Connect 2024-25

with more than 500 kinds. While the Hornbill Festival The cuisine of eastern India is a fusion of flavors influenced
in Nagaland offers the opportunity to enjoy traditional by Bangladesh and Nepal, two nearby countries.
Naga cuisine, the Sattvik Food Festival in Ahmedabad Mustard oil, Panch Phoron (a five-spice mixture), and a
offers a distinctive experience centered around range of milk-based desserts like Sandesh and Rasgulla
vegetarian dishes. are among the cuisine’s most well-known ingredients.
These festivals highlight the amazing diversity and depth In this area, staple foods include rice, fish, and leafy
of Indian cuisine, whether they focus on a particular greens. Signature dishes include machherjhol (Bengali
region or a treasured ingredient. As such, they are fish curry), alooposto(potatoes cooked with poppy
events that both foodies and cultural explorers should seeds), and shorsheilish (hilsa fish in mustard sauce).
not miss. Four regional styles can be used to generally From the creamy, coconut-based curries of Goa to the
classify the culinary diversity of India: North, South, East, spicy and tangy cuisines of Gujarat and Maharashtra,
and West. Due to factors such as geography, climate, Western Indian cuisine features a wide variety of flavors.
history, and cultural influences, every place has a unique Along with its seafood specialties from the shore, the
gastronomic experience. area is also well-known for its snacks, which include
Northern Indian cuisine is known for its rich, creamy Vadapav, Dhokla, and Chaat. Maharashtra is renowned
gravies, tandoori dishes, and the use of dairy products for its Pavbhaji, Vadapav, and Puranpoli, while Gujarati
like yogurt and ghee. Dishes like butter chicken, cuisine offers vegetarian pleasures like Dhokla, Thepla,
kebabs, and biryani are staples, as are wheat-based and Undhiyu. Portuguese flavors have influenced Goan
snacks like roti and naan. Rice, lentils, and coconut cuisine, which includes foods like Vindaloo, fish curry,
are the key ingredients in southern Indian cuisine. The and Bebinca (a layered dessert).
cuisine of the area is frequently seasoned with mustard Whether you are a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler,
seeds, tamarind, and curry leaves. Due to the coastal India’s culinary landscape promises an unforgettable
topography, popular dishes include Dosa, Idli, Sambar, adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more.
and a range of seafood. So, pack your appetite and embark on a delicious
journey across this incredible country, where every bite is
a taste of history and heritage.

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