Maharashtra is one of the best destinations to visit in India since it has both natural beauty and the brilliant lights of its cities. This state is recognised for its historical forts, beautiful hill towns, numerous ancient caverns, and unique culture. Moreover, Maharashtra is well-known for its fabulous cuisine, typically on the wish list of any foodie who visits India as part of a tour package. Maharashtra food has a lot to offer, from the legendary vada pav to delicious modak, sabudana khichdi, to Malvani fish stew. Maharashtrian cuisine is divided into two styles: Konkan and Varadi, both of which employ strong native spices such as Goda Masala, Kokum, Tamarind, and Coconut. Here at our Red Earth Resort in Tadoba, we offer some of the tastiest delicacies of Maharashtra, satisfying your taste buds like never before.
VADA PAV
Vada Pav is an all-day food popular among Maharashtrians and is an Indian variant of a burger. This popular street cuisine is reported to have originated from a street vendor named Ashok Vaidya, who worked near the Dadar train station in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a must-try while in Mumbai and one of the must-include destinations in Maharashtra trip packages. Vada Pav combines two main ingredients: Vada, a tasty, spicy, deep-fried potato patty, and Pav, a thick slice of bread. The vada is sandwiched between two thick slices of bread with a spice powder mix. It’s finest eaten with chutney, a sweet and sour sauce, and fried salted green chillies. This Mumbaikars’ all-time favourite snack is inexpensive, filling, and readily available at restaurants and street-side vendors. The Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Siddivinayak Temple, Juhu Beach, Marine Drive, Haji Ali Dargah, and numerous museums are popular tourist attractions in Mumbai.
MALVANI FISH CURRY
Malvani Fish Curry is a fiery, spicy, flavorful, and delicious seafood meal from Maharashtra’s Malvan region on the west coast. All seafood enthusiasts will enjoy and be wowed by this traditional fish dish made with coconut and kokum. Malvani cuisine combines Maharashtrian, Konkani, and Goan ingredients, yet it has its own distinct flavour profile and spice profile. The kingfish in the fish curry adds a great flavour to the dish. To make a great lunch or dinner, serve it with steamed rice, pomfret fry, and pickled onions on the side.
Rassa
Rassa, also known as Taambde, Pandhra, or Varhadi in Maharashtrian cuisine, is a non-vegetarian meal. This delicacy comes right from the heart of Kolhapur, one of Maharashtra’s most important pilgrimage destinations. This soup is made with a base of coconut milk, sliced onion, cashew paste, chilli, and other spices and is made with chicken or mutton broth. It has a distinct flavour that lingers on your tongue for quite some time. In Maharashtra, there are numerous types of Rassa, including Tambda rassa (red curry) prepared with famed Kolhapuri chiles, Pandhra rassa (white curry) made with yoghurt, and Varhadi rassa (chicken curry) from the Vidarbha region. It’s one of the must-try dishes.
SHRIKHAND
Shrikhand is a traditional yogurt-based dessert flavoured with saffron and cardamom and made using hung and strained yoghurt. Shrikhand was created by nomadic herdsmen, according to legend. They squeezed away the whey from their yoghurt overnight to make it easier to transport. In the morning, they flavoured it with sugar and almonds, and shrikhand was formed. This dish, also called Matho, is frequently served as the main dessert at weddings. This delightful treat is served chilled with meals as a refreshing counterbalance to hot and spicy curries. It is garnished with roasted nuts and a dash of saffron. It is also a celebratory dish prepared in Maharashtra and Gujarat for Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday).
SABUDANA KHICHDI
Sabudana Khichdi is a delicious breakfast meal made from sago pearls, a Maharashtrian favourite. It’s a one-of-a-kind dish seasoned with toasted peanuts and fresh coconut and peppered with green chillies. When Maharashtrian ladies observe holy fasts or Upvaas as part of religious rites, they eat this delectable delicacy.
PURAN POLI
Puran Poli is a popular Maharashtrian traditional sweet dish that you must sample on your visit to the state. The sweet filling is called “Puran” in Marathi, and the exterior bread is known as “Poli.” Puran Puri or Vedmi in Gujarati, Bobbattu or Baksham or Oliga in Andhra Pradesh, Holige or Obbattu in Kannada, Payasabolli in Malayalam, and Uppittu Tamil are some of the names for this cuisine. This excellent Indian sweet flatbread is made with maida/wheat flour and stuffed with jaggery, yellow gramme (chana), dal, cardamom powder, and dry roasted with ghee (clarified butter). Puran Poli is produced especially for Ganesh Chaturthi and other festivals like Diwali.
THALIPEETH
Thalipeeth is a Maharashtrian flatbread cooked with multigrain flour and vegetables. In Maharashtra, it is a must-try dish. Thalipeeth is most commonly cooked using Bhajani, a multigrain meal mix that includes roasted grains such rice, wheat, millets, bajra, jowar, and some legumes. The dough is mixed with chopped onions, herbs, and other vegetables to enhance the flavour. It is then patted flat on a tawa and fried in a small amount of oil. Ghee, curd, and spicy thecha are the ideal accompaniments.
