MAHARASHTRA – Poshan Maah – 28 Days, 28 States

The cuisine of Maharashtra is not just one but rather a collection of various local cuisines that differ from region to region.
From the coastal delicacies of the Konkan where fish curry and rice are a staple to the specialities of the Deccan plateau and the fiery fare from the heat of Vidarbha in the east, Maharashtrian food is truly unique.
Wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, lentils, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are staples. But the highlight of this cuisine is the use of peanuts and coconut in most dishes.
Maharashtrian meals are based on Ayurvedic and scientific principles. Maharashtrians believe that daily meals should be well-balanced which is why a traditional Maharashtrian thali will have Rice, Chapati, Dry Vegetables, Curry, Lentils, Salad, Pickle, Chutney, and a Dessert. All the flavours like spicy, savoury, sour, bitter, and sweet are packed into one plate.
The two famous kinds of cuisine in Maharashtra;  namely Konkani and Varadi – though being different in their style of preparation, both use plenty of seafood and coconut in their dishes.
Peanut oil is the main cooking medium, and grated coconuts, peanuts, and cashew nuts are widely used in vegetarian dishes. Kokum is the most commonly used digestive appetizer and sol kadhi is served chilled.

Let’s unravel some of the classics from Maharashtrian cuisine:

THALIPEETH: It is a savoury multigrain flatbread popular in Maharashtra. The flour for thalipeeth, called bhajanee, is prepared from roasted grains, legumes, and spices. The ingredients include grains such as rice, wheat, bajra, and jowar, legumes such as chana, urad and spices, most commonly coriander and cumin seeds. When preparing the dough, other ingredients such as onion, fresh coriander, other vegetables, and spices are added. This super healthy dish is usually served with ghee and dahi.

MISAL PAV: This dish is primarily from Pune and is one of the most popular Maharashtrian breakfasts, snacks or even brunch. It is a street food popularly found in Mumbai. It has a spicy and tangy lentil curry which is made with moth beans and is served with Pav bread.

ZUNKA BHAKRI: This is traditionally made with chickpeas or besan paste which is further cooked with onions, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, cumin, and mustard seeds. Rich and aromatic, best served with bajra or jowar rotis.

VADA PAV: Vada Pav can easily be called the Indian version of a burger! A delicious, spicy, deep-fried patty made of potato is squeezed between a thick slice of bread, similar to a burger bun. Between the vada (patty) and pav (bread), a spicy mix of spices is sprinkled and garnished with fried, salted green chilli. It’s an all-day snack and is extremely popular among Maharashtrians. It is very economical, filling, and easily available.

PAV BHAJI: The traditional hit of Maharashtra, the heart-throb of India, the list is incomplete without this dish. Fresh and thick slices of bread, smothered in butter and served with a delicious mix of moderately spiced vegetables. This lip-smacking dish has won the heart of every Indian!

PURANPOLI: This Maharashtrian bread is a sweet delight for our taste buds. Puran Poli is specifically made during Ganesh Chaturthi and other festivals like Diwali, adding up to the spirit of celebration. The puran or stuffing is traditionally made from jaggery, yellow gram dal, plain flour, cardamom powder, and clarified butter or ghee.

MODAK: This preparation is mostly made during the Ganesh festival and served as prasad. It is made from rice flour, coconut and jaggery.

SHRIKHAND: This is a sort of sweet yoghurt dish, flavoured with cardamom powder and saffron, this dish is a hit at weddings and at the festival of Dushera. It is usually served with piping, hot puris and is another Maharashtra food dish that is famous all over the country.

There are a few more notable dishes from Maharashtra like Poha, Aamti, Bharli Vangi, sweet dishes like Aamras, Basundi, snack items like bhelpuri, sabudana vada, and non-vegetarian preparations like Bombil or Bombay duck, Rassa, Kombdi vade, etc.
There are plenty of dishes that add to the splendid cuisine of Maharashtra, which covers a wide variety from mild to spicy dishes. And, now that it is all listed in one place, you would surely not leave out any delicacy the next time you are in Maharashtra!