It’s About Malvani Cuisine!

Malvani Cuisine – 

Sindhudurg is one of the districts in the Kokan region in Maharashtra State, India. Nature blesses Sindhudurg with the Arabian Sea on the West side and the Sahyadri Mountain ranges protecting on another side. 

Malvan is one of the small towns in Sindhudurg district. Local people here in Sindhudurg speak Malvani language previously known as Kudali language.

So the food delicacy across Malvani speaking belt is known as Malvani Cuisine. Malvani Cusine is a part of Kokani Cuisine & is less spicy compared with the rest of the Maharashtrian food.

Malvani Cuisine and Lifestyle has a minimalistic approach from the older days due to its Geographical location, weather conditions, transportation facilities, and available crops during the year.

Human Behaviour Influence on Malvani Cuisine – 

Malvani people are very Simple & affectionate. They are very soft-spoken. Malvani Cuisine is a pure reflection of Malvani people’s behavior, mood, and personality. Malvani Cusine is prepared with lots of Love and one can feel the Love while getting served as well. 

Geographics influence on Malvani Cusine – 

Sindhudurga district has over 120km of Arabian Sea and Sahyadri Mountain ranges are parallel to it. Rainfall every year is close to 2500mm. 

Winter is not too cold and Summer is not too hot. The average temperature during the year is approximately 24°C to 27°C, and Humid weather causes continuous sweating. This might be one of the reasons why people prefer less spicy food. 

But I observed that as we move away from the sea in the east direction towards the Sahyadri Mountains, spiciness gets added to food as the weather turns out to be a little dry.

Natural water resources also contribute to good taste in food.

Local Crops Influence on Malvani Cuisine – 

Fish From the Sea, Creeks, and Rivers is the Main Food here. Gravies are made up of Fresh Grated Coconut pests. Rice is consumed in the form of soup, Steamed rice, Bhakri (Bread), Ghavan (Creeps), and Shirvale or Shevya (Hot Noodles). Ragi is also consumed in the form of Bhakri (Bread), Ghavan (Creeps), and Shirvale or Shevya (Hot Noodles). Different Local pulses and vegetables are also part of a daily meal. Kokum is used as a soaring agent in the Food. Varity of leafy Vegetables and Daals are part of a weekly menu.

There are many breakfast and snacks options like Sweet or Spicy Pohe (Pohe – Flattened Rice), Upith, Amboli (Thick Pancakes made with Rice and split black lentils soaked overnight and then grounded as a paste), different types of Coconut based Chutney’s (Thick Sause consumed as a side dish or a dip). Kanda Bhaji, Gol Bhaji, Sweet Baam, Malpoa, Malvani Khaja, Bangali Khaja, Saath, Usal Pao, Misal Pao, Kadak Pao or small biscuit shaped small pao with Cha, and last but not the least Spicy Batata Vada which has unique red Potato Bhaji inside double coated with Besan. You can only get this Batata Vada in Malvan only, you can have it with lots of roughly chopped Onion. I have to mention Kat Vada as well a combo with Usal and Batata Vada. Malvani people prefer Vatana (Dried Peas) Usal. Andaa (Egg) Pao is also popular non vegetarian snacks dish.

Malvani Blended Spices – 

A Unique combination of different Raw spices makes Blended Malvani Masala. Malvani Masala is the heart of Malvani cuisine and gives the food a rich flavor. 

There are 2 main types of Blended Spices

• Malvani Fish Curry Masala
• Malvani Sunday Special Masala (Roasted Masala)

Many Muthe watering Veg and Non-Veg dishes can be made with the help of these two Malvani Masalas.

I hope this article has added some value to you. Thanks for your precious time and reading this article. Looking forward to your valuable feedback.