Tourism
of Goa
Cuisine
in Goa
Visitors
to Goa tend to think that food and drink in Goa means the famous fish,
curry, rice and feni package. And for most Goans these are indeed the three
basic necessities of life -- fish, curry and rice.
They combine to
make a heavenly daily meal for the average Goan. But Goan cuisine, like the
land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of
culinary delicacies.
The long period of Portuguese rule, besides
that of the Muslim and Hindu kingdoms, has left an indelible influence on
the original style of Goan cooking and this has led to an exotic mix of
truly tasty and spicy cuisine. Most people who sample Goan cuisine, enjoy
this different and unique style of food which has a distinct and unique
combination of spicy flavours.
A Goan values his food as much as
he does his daily siesta (break). And in his daily meal, seafood always has
a pride of place is some form or the other. From fried fish to exotic
concoctions like ambot-tik, sea food is usually a must on the menu, except
for the occasional break for some religious observance.
Goans take
pleasure not only in what they eat, but also how they cook it. Although
modern conveniences have almost completely taken over in urban areas, the
traditional way of cooking in clay pots on firewood continues in most rural
areas of Goa. This style of cooking adds an additional smoky flavour to the
food, highly valued by Goans.
Despite the two schools of cuisine
traditions influenced by the respective religions of Hinduism and
Christianity; there are some meeting points that present an interesting
harmony. This blend of various cooking styles and influences is what makes
Goan food so unique among the cuisines of India.
With a wide
variety ranging from prawns to sausages, chicken to beef, and numerous
vegetarian dishes, Goan cuisine is able to satisfy even the most finicky
gourmet appetites. Goa has some magnificent culinary delicacies like the
prawn balchão and sorpotel which have become famous around the world.
While Hindu Goan food does not seem to have picked up any major
Portuguese influence, the Christian food has been influenced not only by the
Portuguese, but also by its overseas colonies. Traditional Goan cooking
calls for plenty of muscle and time. Grinding is always part of the recipe
and the nicer the dish the longer it takes to make.
Goan food is
simple but most, though not all, of it is chili hot, spicy, and pungent.
Items made from rice, fish, and coconut abound in nearly every Goan meal.
Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams,
ladyfish, mussels, and oysters are used to make a variety of curries, fries,
soups and pickles. Besides fresh seafood, dried and salted fish dishes are
also highly prized by Goans.
In this section we provide a selection
of Goa's famous dishes with detailed descriptions of ingredients and cooking
methods so you can reproduce the exotic flavor of the dishes in your very
own kitchen.
So here is a taste of Goa and if you are travelling
to Goa don't forget to pack a healthy appetite.
About
Goa