When I started writing, I misread “something” with “someone” and of course I started writing about how much I miss my family. But I stopped in time to re-read the topic.
What I miss most is the food in india. Don’t get me wrong, I am very lucky to live in such a multicultural country where I can access and taste the various cuisines of the world, including Indian cuisine. Over the years, I have had the privilege of eating food that I could never have imagined in my young days.
I have eaten Moroccan lamb, had a rich Turkish breakfast, sampled home made Egyptian food, attended South American festivals and tasted their rich cuisine. This is just some special fare!
In fact, cuisine like Lebanese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Spanish, Italian, Greek are part of our day to day lives. I am thankful for the richness of the various foods available to us and that I have been able to savour them sitting in my home.
But…there’s always a but! I miss Indian food, especially the street food. My grandmother used to say that water and food in india changes every 100kms. The variety of the food available there is just unmatched. It even tastes different than what I eat here in Oz, something to do with the water it is cooked in as per my mom.
I miss the street food, the taste, the spices and the camaraderie of enjoying it with friends and family. Food plays a huge part in our culture – all celebrations or get together, start and end with food. In fact, as Hindus, food wastage is considered a sin. Food is worshipped and part of the offering at any religious place.
So I miss it! I miss the tikki made on the big tawa till it is golden brown, served with two kinds of chutneys. I miss the golagappe had on the leaf pattal and asking the vendor to make it more spicy. I miss the Chhole Bhature from Haldiram. I miss the Anda Paratha and Momos sold at every corner. I miss the roomali roti, the kebabs, the kulfi and the list goes on…..
This is just one type of food I have mentioned. With 29 states and 7 union territories, India’s culture and cuisine is rich and varied. In fact, more than any other country in the world, I want to travel around india to enjoy one state at a time.
It was our plan to travel around the south of india and know more about this beautiful part of the country while enjoying the wide variety of food on offer. But alas COVID happened and like millions of others, our best laid plans were thwarted.
But it is on our agenda, as soon as the pandemic calms down, to take the trip. It will help me miss the food a little less!