Gujarati diaspora can be found in 129 of 190 countries
listed as sovereign nations by the United Nations. Isn't this fabulous! With
them, they not only carried their culture and tradition, but also their typical
food worldwide. The only thing that comes to my mind is the amount of food
gujju's carry with them when they travel. The sheer amount and variety of food
and efficacy with which it's served is truly amazing. After Punjabi and South
Indian food, gujarati food is the most popular culinary style in India. Each
and every region namely North Gujarat, Kutch, Kathiawad and South Gujarat have
their own unique touch and recipe style in Gujarati food.
In case you visit Gujarat, be sure that you don't miss these
yummy dishes I have listed down.
1. Undhiyu
Undhiyu, a very popular Gujarati dish, is prepared during
Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan – the kite flying festival of Gujarat. A mixed
vegetable dish comprising of root vegetables, raw banana, eggplant and muthiya
(fenugreek fritters) and spices. Undhiyu along with Puri and Jalebi is the most
ideal combination for Uttarayan for all Gujaratis. Health consious people can
try Matla Undhiyu (Umbadiyu), which is well cooked in an inverted hot pot. This
traditional dish is popular in South Gujarat. Cooked for lunch or dinner, it
can be relished with roti or parathas.
2. Handvo
Handvo, a pan cake like dish, is made from rice, lentils,
sesame seeds, spices and vegetables. It
is often made with a bottle gourd filling, though many other vegetables can be
added. It is a traditional Gujarati snack enjoyed with Green Chutney. It tastes
super!
3. Locho
Locho, a very popular South Gujarat street food, is made of
mixture of coarsely ground lentils and flat rice. The dish derives its name from
its loose Consistency and irregular shape. It is often seasoned with oil,
butter, Sev, spices, coriander, onion etc and is served with lemon juice,
chutney , onion and sev (gram flour noodles). Locho is eaten all over Gujarat
however Surat city is famous for its Locho. Now a day variety of Lochos are
sold e.g. Butter Locho, Cheeze Locho, Garlic Locho etc.
4. Papdi no Lot / Khichu
Hey people on low calorie diet, Gujaratis also have
substitutes for health conscious people and here is healthiest and easy to make
snack for you. Khichu or 'Papdi no lot' is baked dough made of rice flour,
green chillies, salt and cumin seeds. It is served with a tinge of oil and red
chilli powder.
5. Khandvi
Khandvi is a popular Gujarati evening time snack which is
rolled and cut into bite sized pieces which just melts into your mouth. It is
primarily gram flour and youghurt that is slow cooked. It is usually garnished
with fresh coconut and coriander leaves. A single piece of Khandvi, dipped in
Green chilli-garlic chutney would just make you want to eat more and more!
6. Dhokla
Dhokla symbolizes a Gujarati and people here are considered
to be a Dhokla lover. This is also a steamed snack comprising of fermented dal
and rice mixture and tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Today many
versions of dhokla are available in the market be it the Sandwich dhokla or
Khatta(sour) dhokla. All the versions are relished by everyone.
7. Khaman
Khaman is often confused with dhokla, as both have size and
shape up to a great extent. Khaman is made of besan (gram flour) and dhokla is
made out of rice and lentil flour, resulting in a distinct texture and taste.
khaman is more flufflier and spongy than dhokla because it has a slightly
higher content of soda. Khaman can be eaten for breakfast, as a main course, as
a side dish, or as a snack. It is soft and fluffy with mildly tangy sweet and
sour taste. You will surely love it!
8. Thepla
Often to be considered as a form of Parathas, however, a
little different. Theplas are mostly made of wheat, spices and Green leafy Fenugreek
mixed well in dough. It is the best breakfast an ideal Gujarati would wish for
with a cup of Ginger tea. Every Non – Resident Gujarati swears to carry a
packet of it while returning back, as these can be stored for long durations.
9. Dhebra
It is often confused with Thepla. Dhebra consist of bajra or
jowar flour whereas Thepla are made from mainly wheat flour. Dhebras are rolled
into smaller discs whereas theplas are rolled into big discs like roti. Dhebras
are shallow fried whereas theplas are fried with lesser oil. Only similarity
between them is they have fenugreek leaves. Be it Dhebra or Thepla both are
yummy, tasty and makes a great snack.
10. Muthia
The name,'Muthia' is derived from the way it is made, from
the 'gripping' action of the hand. It is basically made up of chickpea flour,
methi (fenugreek), salt, turmeric, chili powder combined together which is
either steamed or fried. Other varieties are made by using coarse flour of
wheat and leafy vegetables such as amaranth, spinach, Luni or grated bottle
gourd or peel of bitter gourd (karela). After steaming, they are tempered with
sesame seeds and mustard seeds
11. Mathiya
Mathiya looks like papad but its taste is different. It is
very crispy, crunchy and has spicy and salty flavour. It is a must in festivals
like Diwali. The snack often sprinkled with red chilli powder is a great
combination. Mathiya is too popular that nowadays, it is ordered online.
12. Fafda
This sweet-salty combination preferred street food in
Gujarat. Fafda is basically long strips made from a dough of gram flour and
spices. It tastes best with Kadhi (thick gravy made of gram flour and yoghurt),
fried green chillies and raw papaya chutney. Fafda with Jalebi makes a great
combination. You can find this in every street corner of major cities in
Gujarat.
13. Mohanthal
Mohanthal is Indian desert prepared during auspicious
occassions specially during Diwali. It is prepared in a large thaal or plate
which gives it the name. This traditional dish is a mixture of Gram flour,
khoya, milk and dry fruits.
14. Sev Tameta nu Shaak
Sev tameta (tomatoes) is a spicy curry made of tomatoes and
onion, garnished with green coriander and a Gujarati snack- Sev (deep fried
snack made of gram flour). All our non-Gujaratis will love this kathiyawadi
dish for sure!
15. Khakhra
Khakhra is Originated from the state of Gujarat, as part of
Jain Gujarati cuisine in India. It is a thin crackers made from mat bean, wheat
flour and oil. There are many varieties of Khakhra such methi, jeera, Bajri,
Math and masala to name a few. It is perfect for an evening snack and will stay
fresh throughout your long trip.
16. Dabeli
Dabeli, also known as Kutchi Dabeli or Double Roti is a
spicy snack originated in the Kutch region of Gujarat. It is made by mixing of
mashed potato and dabeli masalas, putting that mixture between the pav (bun
burgar), garnised with roasted peanuts and pomegranate, and served with
chutneys made from tamarind, date, garlic, red chilies, etc. It is extremely
good for people who crave for spicy and chat-pata food to eat.
17. Methi na gota
Methi na gota or
methi pakora, made of green Fenugreek and gram flour mixture is the street food
of Gujarat. The most famous Gota's are from Dakor a village in Gujarat. It’s
quite like the Batata Vada of Maharashtra, but different and yummier!
18. Chorafali
A traditional Gujarati snack usually made during annual
Diwali festival. It's sour and spicy taste, seasoned in chilli powder and dry
mango powder, has created a great demand and the reason it is now available as
a street food too. It is one of most irresistible snack for street food lovers.
19. Lilva Kachori
Lilva Kachori, a spicy and delicious dumplings are made of
green pigeon peas as stuffing and plain flour. It is widely consume as winter
tea time snacks with Green Chutney or tangy tamarind chutney or tomato sauce.
20. Doodhpak
Doodhpak is a dessert dish, a kind of rice pudding made from
milk, rice, saffron and nuts, accompanied by pooris. The milk is slow-boiled to
thickened and sweetened and the dish is garnished with chopped almonds. This
Gujarat dessert is difficult to resist.
Thanks for sharing very interesting blog post with us. We are also working in the same industry. Grip Food Besan flour
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