The comforting hill cuisine – The Hindu

Uttarakhand is called the hill State.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

When summers are in full bloom, the hills of Uttarakhand adorn themselves with bright rhododendron like a bride on her wedding day. These flowers are not just beautiful but delightfully tangy and refreshing, making them the perfect ingredient for mocktails and ice creams. They are one of many other indigenous foods of Uttarakhand, often overshadowed by the stereotypes of the hilly region.

The food is just like the State — rooted in simplicity yet comforting and nurturing.

As gluten-free is the new trend, the madua roti (finger millet chapati) and jhangore ki kheer (barnyard millet dessert) have always been a staple for hilly people. Aloo ke gutke, tempered with Jakhiya seeds and served with Bhaang ki chutney, is a comfort food in all seasons.

Gahat dal not only tastes delicious with traditional Laal Bhaat (red rice) but also makes for a delicious filling in hot paranthas for breakfast.

Pulses such as Bhatt are prepared in various ways and make their way into regular lunches.

Almora offers the famous dessert called Bal Mithai, enjoyed on every occasion. And you can’t stop at one when someone offers you the melt-in-the-mouth Singori sweet.

The local people find their excitement in their search for Kaaphal during summers, also called the fruit of gods, so much so that it is expressed as a metaphor for seasonal beauty in the iconic folk song Bedu Paako Baarmasa, O Naraina kafal paako chaita, meri chhaila (Figs do ripen round the year, my dear Narayan! But the Kaphal ripens only in the month of Chaitra. Those lovely days of spring are here, my dear Narayan!)

The food of Uttarakhand expresses the culture rooted in love for nature among its people.

It is surprising that despite social media’s power to promote less-known things, pahadi cuisine still needs a way to be in the spotlight among tourists amidst the crowded Maggi points and Indo-Chinese cuisine.

So, on your next Uttarakhand trip, enjoy the local food while beholding the natural beauty and feel how better it feels in your gut and heart.

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