UTTARAKHAND – Poshan Maah – 28 Days, 28 States
India is a land of varied culture and each of its states has its own cuisine. One such state we are talking about is Uttarakhand which is also referred to as ‘the land of Gods’. Not many people know this, but this place has a whole lot of delicacies that will satiate the hidden hunger in you. Apart from the picturesque valleys to the inexplicable beauty that makes it a heaven on earth, this place has a whole lot of delicacies to offer. The cuisine of Uttarakhand is simple yet incredible and the two distinct regions, Kumaon and Garhwal offer flavoursome delicacies. The primary food includes vegetables with wheat being a staple for the locals. The food made with lentils and cooked over slow fire has a balanced flavour. The sparing use of tomatoes, milk and milk-based products in cooking is what makes every dish unique. The cuisine not only consists of delicious food but comes with health benefits as well. The one thing that is unique about the cuisines of Uttarakhand is the fact that they are mostly cooked over burning wood or charcoal, which bestows them with additional nutritional qualities.
Have a look at the scrumptious food of Uttarakhand hidden in this land of natural beauty:
ALOO KE GUTKE:
One of the basic and most popular dishes in Uttarakhand, Aloo (Potatoes) ke Gutke is a simple preparation where dry spices are roasted and used. It is a spicy dish with a burst of mouth-watering flavours in every bite. This recipe is best served with puri and raita. In Uttarakhand, aloo ke gutke is prepared on festive occasions.
KAFULI:
This dish is especially for all diet conscious people out there. Kafuli is a delicious dish enjoyed mostly in the winter season, it is made with spinach, lai, and fenugreek leaves. It is an exotic dish, cooked in an iron kadhai, this recipe is complemented with hot steaming rice. Also known as Kapaa, it is a nutritious dish that even doctors prescribe.
PHAANU:
Phaanu is a popular dish in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It has a complex preparation owing to the mixing of different varieties of lentils that are soaked in water overnight. It is made with lentils including the native Gahat dal and the unique flavour is a treat to the tastebuds. Phaanu is mostly served with rice.
CHAINSOO:
It is a very famous Garhwal dish which is made of Urad or Kali Dal and thus consists of a lot of protein. Many people find it hard to digest. The dish is cooked by roasting the lentils and then making a paste of it, which is then cooked in an iron pot over slow fire giving it quite an earthy taste. It is tasty enough to give a tough competition to Punjab’s Maa Ki Dal!
JHANGORA KI KHEER:
This is one famous sweet dish of Uttarakhand. The dish is prepared by using a kind of a millet called Jhangore that is cooked with a number of dry fruits to give that rich texture. Jhangora Ki Kheer has an unforgettable taste and is a must-try after a heavy meal of the Garhwali cuisines. Its rich texture and the goodness of milk will leave you asking for more.
GULGULA:
Gulgula is a delectable sweet of Uttarakhand. It is a sweet local snack made of jaggery which traces its origin to the Garhwal region. This is a very common dish you will find in the State since it uses extremely basic ingredients like wheat flour, jaggery, fennel seeds that are easily available in the immediate vicinity.
Other than these there are other delicacies that one ca savour like Dubuk, Thhatwani, Garhwal Ka Fannah, Arsa, Singori, Aaloo Tamatar Ka Jhol, Bhang Ki Chutney, Kumaoni Raita and many more.
The cuisine of the state is meticulously chosen to not only offer delight to the taste buds but also to make most of the resources available. Where great care is taken to include all the necessary elements to keep one well-prepared for the tough climate and trails, special attention is paid to maintaining the look and taste of the dishes as well.
