Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Colour and the chilli - Hindustan Times
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Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Colour and the chilli

Sep 30, 2022 11:47 PM IST

Europeans brought chillis to Africa and Asia where they became staples. But why did the chilli never become a major part of any European cuisine?

Are you familiar with the Portuguese dish carne de vinha d’alhos? I thought not. It consists of pork in wine vinegar and garlic. The Portuguese have made it for centuries. It became the mainstay of sailors’ meals because they would preserve pork in barrels when they set out on their voyages. When they were hungry, they would reconstitute garlic by marinating it in red wine or vinegar and cook it with the pork.

Most of the foods that came from the New World entered the European diet; except for the chilli
Most of the foods that came from the New World entered the European diet; except for the chilli
The Hungarians use paprika from India via Turkish merchants, but they use it many centuries after the chilli came to Europe
The Hungarians use paprika from India via Turkish merchants, but they use it many centuries after the chilli came to Europe
Once they got to Goa, the Portuguese added chilli to their cuisine: which suddenly improved
Once they got to Goa, the Portuguese added chilli to their cuisine: which suddenly improved
Spanish chorizo (which may now use chilli) is mostly mild and the chilli component has been upped only over the last few decades
Spanish chorizo (which may now use chilli) is mostly mild and the chilli component has been upped only over the last few decades
You can tell where the Portuguese travelled because they took the chilli with them
You can tell where the Portuguese travelled because they took the chilli with them
There are chillies in Penne Arrabiata but it is a relatively recent invention
There are chillies in Penne Arrabiata but it is a relatively recent invention
Some statistics suggest that the average family in Bhutan consumes one kilo of chilli every week. It must have the highest per capita consumption of chilli in the world
Some statistics suggest that the average family in Bhutan consumes one kilo of chilli every week. It must have the highest per capita consumption of chilli in the world
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    Why hide the papers? Why keep the conspiracy theories related to Netaji Subhas Bose’s death alive? And why deny India the truth about the death of one of its great freedom fighters?

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