Uttarakhand is known as the "Land of Gods", apart from this it is also famous in the world for its natural beauty and spiritual significance. But let us tell you that apart from this, Uttarakhand is also known for its unique and delicious cuisine.
The food of Uttarakhand also reflects its culture, geography and lifestyle. The traditional delicious dishes here are nutritious and full of taste, in which organically grown ingredients are used by the local people. Let us know about some of the most popular foods of Uttarakhand, which define the culinary heritage here.
1. Aloo Ke Gutke
Aloo Gutka is one of the most popular dishes of Uttarakhand, it is a very tasty and simple dish, to make which boiled potatoes are cooked in mustard oil with red chilli, turmeric and local spices. Usually it is served as a side dish with Puri, Dal and Rice. Usually it is also made on some special festivals in Uttarakhand.
2. Kafuli (Kaapa)
Kafuli is a very tasty and nutritious dish of Uttarakhand, which is made from fenugreek or spinach leaves. Which is cooked with wheat or rice flour to thicken. Mild spices are used in it, and served hot with rice to eat. This dish is very beneficial for health, which is also served as a staple food during winters in Uttarakhand.
3. Phaanu
Phaanu is a protein-rich dish made from a mixture of several pulses like gahat (horse gram), toor (pigeon pea), or moong dal (green gram). To make this dish, all the pulses are soaked overnight, then ground into a paste and then cooked with hot spices.
This dish is usually eaten with rice. It is believed that it is usually eaten during the winter season as it keeps the digestive system healthy and maintains heat in the body.
4. Bhang Ki Chutney
Bhaang chutney is prepared by roasting bhang seeds, cumin, garlic and lemon juice. Its taste is very spicy and delicious. Although many people feel that Bhaang chutney is intoxicating, there is no intoxication of any kind in it, it is very tasty and nutritious to eat. It can be eaten with many dishes like dal-rice and roti.
5. Chainsoo
Chainsoo is one of the popular dishes of Uttarakhand, which is rich in protein, it is made from black gram (urad dal). To make it, first the urad dal is roasted and ground finely, and then it is cooked with spices in mustard oil. Spicy spices are used in it, due to which its taste is also very spicy, and the people of Uttarakhand eat it with great gusto.
6. Jhangora Ki Kheer
Jhangora ki kheer is a traditional dessert of Uttarakhand made from millet (jhangora). This sweet dish is made by boiling millet in milk and adding sugar, cardamom and dry fruits to it. It has a creamy texture and is often served on festivals and special occasions.
7. Arsa
Arsa is a type of sweet which is very popular in Uttarakhand, this Arsa sweet is made by rice flour, jaggery and mustard oil. It is crispy from outside and soft and chewy from inside. This sweet is very tasty and people of all ages like it, it is usually made at weddings and festivals.
8. Baadi
Badi is a dish prepared using Mandua (millet) flour. To make it, small pakoras are made by mixing millet flour in water and then boiling them. It is usually eaten in Uttarakhand with ghee, Gahat dal or green vegetables. Badi is a nutritious dish, which is also considered a source of energy.
9. Dubuk
Dubuk is a kind of thick curry made from lentil paste. To make this paste, gahat or bhat (black soybean) is used. Dubuk is made on low flame, and it tastes creamy, it is eaten with rice. It is especially eaten during winter.
10. Gulgula
Gulgula is a sweet dish commonly eaten by locals of Uttarakhand as a snack. It is like mini donuts. It is made from wheat flour and jaggery and fennel seeds. To make it, its mixture is roasted till golden, and then deep fried. Gulgula is often eaten with tea, and it can also be seen sold at local fairs and celebrations.
11. Singodi
Singodi is a sweet dish, which is a traditional sweet of Uttarakhand, prepared with khoya (thickened milk or mawa) and wrapped in fragrant malu leaves. This sweet dish is especially famous in the Kumaon region, people who come to Uttarakhand from other states or countries must taste it once.
12. Kandalee Ka Saag
Kandli ka Saag (Bichhoo Ghaas) This is a type of "stinging grass". Cooked by boiling it with spices in Uttarakhand, this dish is rich in iron, and is considered a very nutritious dish.
13. Thhatwani
Thatwani is a type of soup made from lentils, and sometimes rice or wheat flour is also added to it to enhance its taste. It is a warming dish, which is commonly consumed during the winter season in Uttarakhand. Apart from this, it is also served with boiled rice.
14. Ras
Ras is a type of lentil soup made from a mixture of several lentils, including black gram, Kuthli dal and kidney beans. The mixture of all the lentils is cooked on low flame, and then mashed well and thickened to make a delicious soup, which is usually eaten with rice.
15. Bal Mithai
Bal Mithai is one of the most popular sweets of Uttarakhand, especially Almora. It is made from khoya (mawa) which is cooked till it turns brown, after which sugar balls are placed on top of the sweet. This delicious sweet has a caramelized flavor, making it very popular among locals and tourists.
Conclusion
The food of Uttarakhand reflects the simple and modest lifestyle of the people here. Locally grown grains, pulses and green vegetables make the food of Uttarakhand nutritious and delicious. Be it Kafuli or the spicy potato dumplings or the sweet Bal Mithai, every dish here is delicious and tells the story of the cultural and heritage of the region. If you ever come to Uttarakhand, then definitely taste the cuisine here.
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