SOMVANSHI KSHATRIYA PATHARE (SKP) CUISINE

SKP cuisine is simple and flavourful……… Except for coconut curries, very little coconut is used…… The main flavour come from a traditional spice mixture – SKP Masala…… This cuisine is a potpourri of vegetables, eggs, fish and meat……. But SKP’s are partial towards seafood…….. Seasonal vegetables like drumsticks, brinjals, turnips, etc. are found in some seafood preparations……. Koshimbir is a must with every meal……. A Maharashtrian yoghurt based salad, koshimbir is served as an accompaniment as it balances the spices of the main course……..SKP cuisine has some unique koshimbirs………. Regular fresh vegetables are prepared with simple basic spices……. Interestingly, SKPs love adding sprouts to fresh vegetables….. This community prefer to cook desi chicken (free range)…… As accompaniments rice, chapatis and rice ghawan (crisp rice pancakes) are more common…….. Kombdi wade (mixed flour poori) are preferred with richer curries.

Gujarati influence can be be seen in some dishes……. During Sankranti, Ukad Handi is made…… Ukad Handi is very similar to Gujarati recipe Undhiyu…….. Both dishes are made during winter as a wide variety of seasonal vegetables are available during this period……… Literally meaning Boiled Pot, Ukad Handi is made by marinating vegetables like potatoes, raw bananas, beans, brinjals, suran, etc. with spices and pastes and filling them in earthen pots…….. These pots are sealed and placed in bonfire……. The vegetables cook in their own juices acquiring a lovely smoky and earthy aroma resulting in a healthy meal.

SKP cuisine is very simple and rustic making use of local ingredients and flavours.