The region of Malvan in the district of Sindhudurg in the state of Maharashtra is very famous for its cuisine which is popularly called Malvani food.
Since the region of Malvan is situated close to the Arabian Sea the diet of the people of this region consists predominantly of seafood like fishes, crabs and prawns. Apart from sea food they also consume chicken and mutton in their non vegetarian fare. Malvani cuisine leans more towards non-vegetarian dishes, due to the easy availability and variety, there are still many vegetarian recipes to choose from. The taste of Malvani food is said to be very unique and different from other regions of Maharashtra although it does incorporate ingredients from the neighbouring regions and Goan cuisine. Since Malvan is situated on the Konkan coastal region the natives use coconut abundantly in their diet.The other two main ingredients are Kokum and Raw Mango.
Malvani food is quite hot and spicy due to the addition of Malvani masala which is a combination of about 15 to 16 dry spices. These spices are dry roasted and then ground to a powder which is added in almost all the recipes.
Coconut is either used in the fresh grated form, dry grated, fried or as a paste. Coconut milk is added to the gravy based dishes and is also used to make a very popular Malvani drink, Sol Kadhi that has a very cooling effect and is always served along with the spicy non vegetarian fare.
A few desserts are served in combination with coconut milk as the base and made by sweetening with jaggery.
The Malvani masala powder is made using dried Red Chillies, Coriander seeds, Peppercorns, Cumin seeds among other spices that grow abundantly in the region.
Ginger and Garlic paste, fresh or dried Kokum play an important role in enhancing the taste of the food.
Malvani Chicken Masala
Malvani Mutton Curry
Kombdi Vade ( कोंबडी वडे ) - Chicken masala curry served with multi grain puris that are called Vade
Bombil Fry - One of the most popular fish fry in the city of Mumbai
Prawn Curry
Kolambi Fry
Kajuchi Usal - Cashew Nut curry
fansachi bhaji ( फणसाची भाजी ) - Jackfruit cooked in grated coconut and various spices
Kavda Curry ( कवडयांचा मटण ) - A bird found in the Konkan region
Paplet Saar - Pomfret Fish Curry
Bangada Fry
Mori masala / Shark Curry
Ghavne ( घावणे ) - Very unique netted dosa like pancakes made from rice flour
Dhondas - Cucumber cakes made with ripe cucumbers, rice flour, grated coconut and jaggery
Amboli - Thick pancakes similar to uttapams
Tandalachi Bhakri ( तांदळाची भाकरी ) - Bhakris made with rice flour, similar to Bajra / Jowar ones
Shirvale ( शिवाळे ) - Steamed rice flour noodles served with sweetened coconut milk called Rus
Ras Poli - Deep fried sweet pancakes served with Rus
Kalya Vatanyachi Samara ( काळया वटाळयाचे समारा )
Khaparodi ( खापरोळी ) - Fluffy sweet pancakes dipped in yellow coloured sweet coconut milk
Pomfret Fry
*Trivia
The Malvani masala powder is made in huge quantities and stored in air tight containers and lasts for at least a year.
Each family has its own version of the Malvani masala that may differ from others a little bit.
Images
Amboli - cookwithrenu
Shirvale - secretindianrecipe.com
Pomfret Fry - Rajbhushan Rane
Ghavna and Nariyal Chutney - Rohit Wadhwani
