The Karwar Palate: Coconuts, Chillies and Much More
Karwar rice, sorghum, and chickpea pancakes (Ghavan)
The Indian world of pancakes and dosas is immense. Most of us are familiar with the crisp rice paper dosa, slathered in ghee, but every single lentil can be made into a dosa. They vary in style from the ultra-crisp to the soft, steamed versions like the set dosa, and the versions that straddle the two, like the appam, which has a crisp side and a soft base. More than the variations, the dosa speaks to the land, to the crops indigenous to the region, and to the communities, how they have, over...
Karwar semi-dry drumstick curry (Moska saang or Shenga sukke)
Drumsticks, or moringa, are popular in India. These long stems stick out obtrusively in vegetable markets and shops and are quite...
Semi-dry okra curry (Bhendi Sagale)
Okra is loved across India and is often cooked as a stir-fry or in curries. Indian okra is never slimy, unlike some Creole and African...
Karwar chicken curry-country style, served with mung dal kichidi
Karwar is a small coastal town in the state of Karnataka that played an essential role in history during the Maratha rule. It was also an...
Karwar prawn curry with kokum (Sungta Ambat)
As we travel to the West Coast of India, we reach the region of Karwar, one that is renowned for its cuisine. One of the quintessential dishes of the region is an "Ambat", which translates to "sour". It is a staple in the region: a dish made with a thick coconut base, chillies, and a souring agent, traditionally the local kokum. Kokum (Garcinia Indica) belongs to the mangosteen family and is indigenous to the Western Ghats, where they thrive. It is a small, dark purple fruit that is not eaten...
Karwar ivy gourd fry (Tendli talasan)
Gourds are common in the Indian diet. There are several varieties commonly available in the market, including bottle gourd (lauki or...
Karwar drumstick curry (Moska saang ambat)
This is a beautiful day from the Karwar region, made in its traditional style. Ambat means "sour," and this is a class of curries from...
Karwar egg curry
I am a big fan of egg curries; their diversity is amazing, and most cultures have some version of this dish. This is a spicy version. The...
Karwar spicy potato gravy (Batata garam masala bhaji)
Karwar is a small town across from Goa in the state of Karnataka. It is famed for its beaches and unique cuisine. Fish heavily influences...
Ivy gourd and cashew nut upkari (Tendli and bibbe upkari)
An upkari is a type of stir-fry, and this Konkan version, from the region of Goa, is almost always topped with shredded, fried, or...