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Uttaranchal dishes a gourmet?s delight
It is prepared like our very own 'kheer' but it definitely tastes different. Known as 'Jhangore ki kheer', this sweet dish of Uttaranchal is a gourmet's delight. But to avail the opportunity to taste this delicacy, those in search of Epicurean pleasure will have to visit Uttaranchal Shilp Mela which is drawing huge crowd at North Central Zone Cultural Centre at present.
It is prepared like our very own 'kheer' but it definitely tastes different. Known as 'Jhangore ki kheer', this sweet dish of Uttaranchal is a gourmet's delight.
But to avail the opportunity to taste this delicacy, those in search of Epicurean pleasure will have to visit Uttaranchal Shilp Mela which is drawing huge crowd at North Central Zone Cultural Centre at present.
Jhangora is shaped like poppy seeds but it is off-white in colour. According to Kailash Chand Chamoli, mela officer Uttaranchal, this grain is raised on the hills just like rice. "In fact it is raised along with paddy and the seeds are extracted after beating the kernel," he said.
Sushma Devrani, the cook from Garhwal, said that the seeds are then cooked with milk and sugar and dry fruits are added to it. It is served cold as the taste is enhanced after cooling.
Another dish being served at the stall is Pindalu. It is prepared with 'arvi' leaves or 'paitur' as it is commonly known in Uttaranchal. After cutting the leaves, they are dipped in the mixture of gram flour, water and spices and then deep fried.
This dish is served with 'bhang ki chatani'. "Don't get confused. This bhang is not the one used for addiction. The seeds of bhang are first roasted and then powdered. Salt, water, chilly and lemon juice is added to it. It has no harmful effect on adults and children. Besides, dal and rice is also served at the stall," said Sushma.
Other famous foodgrains and spices are also being sold at a different stall here. Dehraduni chawal, Tor dal, Bhatt dal and Gahat dal is available here. One can take them home and prepare the dishes accordingly. "Tor dal is very famous in Uttaranchal. It is the main serving dish during marriages. Gahat dal is vital from health point of view. Those suffering from stone problem are cured if they consume this dal for one month. In spices we have Jakhiya which is used just like cumin and another Faran is used mainly for garnishing the lentils. Dried stivia leaves are being sold here which could be used as a sweetener in tea and coffee. It is useful for diabetics," said Chamoli.
"We are planning to serve another dish known as chhachhenda. It is prepared with butter milk, cucumber, and gourd," he added.
"It is our endeavour to acquaint the people of this city with our exclusive dishes and return again the next year with few more surprises," said Chamoli.
