Maharashtrian cuisine

{{See also|Thali}}

File:Maharashtra Districts.png

File:Varan Bhat.jpg

Since they occupy a vast area with distinct geographical differences and food availability, the Marathi people from different regions have produced a diverse cuisine. The diversity extends to the family level because each family uses its own unique combination of spices and ingredients. The majority of Maharashtrians are not averse to eating meat, fish and eggs, but the staple diet for most people is mostly lacto-vegetarian. Many communities such as the brahmins and varkari sect members only follow the lacto-vegetarian diet.

The traditional staple food on Desh (the Deccan plateau) is usually bhakri, spiced cooked vegetables, dal and rice. However, North Maharashtrians and urbanites prefer roti or chapati, which is a plain bread made with wheat.

In the coastal Konkan region, rice is the traditional staple food. Wet coconut and coconut milk are used in many dishes. Marathi communities indigenous to Mumbai and North Konkan have their own distinct cuisine.Some of the indigenous Marathi communities of North Konkan and Mumbai are Aagri, Koli, Pathare Prabhu, SKPs (Panchkalshi) and (Chaukalshi), CKPs and East Indian Catholic In South Konkan, near Malvan, another independent cuisine developed called Malvani cuisine, which is predominantly non-vegetarian. Kombdi vade, fish preparations and baked preparations are more popular there.

In the Vidarbha region, little coconut is used in daily preparations but dry coconut and peanuts are used in dishes such as spicy savjis, as well as in mutton and chicken dishes.

Maharashtrian lacto-vegetarian dishes are based on five main classes of ingredients that include grains, legumes, vegetables, dairy products and spices.{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=K.S.|title=Maharashtra|date=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7991-100-4|page=XLIX|edition=first|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=OmBjoAFMfjoC}}|access-date=20 October 2016}}

File:A closeup of white sorghum.JPG)]]

File:Pearl millet after combine harvesting.jpg

Staple dishes in the cuisine are based on a variety of flatbreads and rice. Flatbreads can be wheat-based, such as the traditional trigonal ghadichi poli {{cite book|last=KHANNA|first=VIKAS|title=My Great Indian in Cookbook|date=Dec 1, 2012|publisher=Penguin UK|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=KS0KLIUuEoYC}}}} or the round chapati that is more common in urban areas. Bhakri is an unleavened bread made using grains such as ragi or millet, bajra or bajri or jwari and forms part of daily meals in rural areas.{{cite book|last=Khatau|first=Asha|title=Epicure S Vegetarian CuisinesJOf India|year=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan ltd.|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7991-119-5|pages=57|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=16mU1bzJx3AC}}}}{{cite book|author1=Rais Akhtar|author2=Andrew Thomas Amos Learmonth|title=Geographical Aspects of Health and Disease in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lm-T1sbNdPwC&pg=PA245|year=1985|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|page=251|id=GGKEY:HH184Y8TYNS}}

Traditionally, the staple grains of the inland Deccan plateau have been millets, jwari {{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=K.S.|title=People of India: Maharashtra (Vol. 30).|date=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan.|page=XLvii}}{{cite book|author=B Srilakshmi|title=Food Science|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_pRVkS6nUPEC&pg=PR7|year=2003|publisher=New Age International|isbn=978-81-224-1481-3|pages=47–}} and bajri.{{cite book|author=F. R. Ruskin|title=Lost Crops of Africa: Grains|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_87ou6aEaze8C|date=April 1999|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=978-0-7881-7512-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_87ou6aEaze8C/page/n102 85]}}{{cite journal|last1=TIWALE|first1=SACHIN|title=Foodgrain vs Liquor: Maharashtra under Crisis|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|date=2010|volume=45|issue=22|pages=19–21|jstor=27807071}} These crops grow well in this dry and drought-prone region. In the coastal Konkan region the finger millet called ragi is used for bhakri.{{cite book|last1=Stemler|first1=editors, Jack R. Harlan, Jan M.J. de Wet, Ann B.L.|title=Origins of African plant domestication|date=1976|publisher=Mouton|location=The Hague|isbn=978-0-202-90033-9|pages=409–412}}{{cite book|editor-last1=Hawley|editor-first1=John C.|title=India in Africa, Africa in India : Indian Ocean cosmopolitanisms|date=2008|publisher=Indiana University Press|location=Bloomington|isbn=978-0-253-21975-6|page=207|edition=[Online-Ausg.].}} The staple meal of the rural poor was traditionally as simple as bajra bhakri accompanied by just a raw onion, a dry chutney, or a gram flour preparation called jhunka.Rao, S., Joshi, S., Bhide, P., Puranik, B., & Asawari, K. (2014). Dietary diversification for prevention of anaemia among women of childbearing age from rural India. Public health nutrition, 17(04), 939-947.{{cite book|last1=Khatau|first1=Asha|title=Epicure's Vegetarian Cuisines of India|date=2003|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-8179911198|page=57|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=Jsjy5ht2Xh8C|page=75}}|access-date=2009-02-09}} Although in recent years consumption of millets has gone down,in central regions of Maharashtra it still accounts for 48% of cereal consumption per capita.Nagaraj, N., et al. "Sorghum and pearl millet economy of India: Future outlook and options." Economic and political weekly (2013): 74-81.Jhunka with bhakri has now become a popular street food in Maharashtra.{{cite book|author=Harish Kapadia|title=Trek the Sahyadris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oICZM5HKRbAC&pg=PA9|date=March 2004|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-151-1|page=27}}

Increased urbanization of the Maharashtra region has increased wheat's popularity.Krishnamachari, K.A.V.R., Rao, N.P. and Rao, K.V., 1974. Food and nutritional situation in the drought affected areas of Maharashtra-a survey and recommendations. Indian journal of nutrition and dietetics, 11(1), pp.20-27. Wheat is used for making flatbreads called chapati, trigonal ghadichi poli , the deep-fried version called puri or the thick paratha. Wheat is also used in many stuffed flatbreads such as the puran poli, gul poli (with sesame and jaggery stuffing),{{cite journal|last1=Naik*|first1=S.N.|last2=Prakash|first2=Karnika|title=Bioactive Constituents as a Potential Agent in Sesame for Functional and Nutritional Application|journal=Journal of Bioresource Engineering and Technology|date=2014|volume=2|issue=4|pages=42–60}} and satorya (with sugar and khoya (dried milk)).

File:Wheat Dough.jpg

Wheat flatbreads are also made with vegetable stuffings such as peas, potatoes and gram dal.Umrani, Shantabai (1984). Surasgandha (In Marathi language). Islampur, District Sangli, Maharashtra, India: K G Umrani. pp. 100–107 One of the ancient sought-after breads was mande.Kulshrestha, V.P., 1985. History and ethnobotany of wheat in India. Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée, 32(1), pp.61-71. As with rice, flatbreads accompany a meal of vegetables or dairy items.

Rice is the staple food in the rural areas of coastal Konkan region but is also popular in all urban areas. Local varieties such as the fragrant ambemohar have been popular in Western Maharashtra.

In most instances, rice is boiled on its own and becomes part of a meal that includes other items. A popular dish is varan bhaat, in which steamed rice is mixed with plain dal that is prepared with pigeon peas, lemon juice, salt and ghee.{{cite book|author=Monisha Bharadwaj|title=The Indian Spice Kitchen: Essential Ingredients and Over 200 Authentic Recipes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dTm23d7gIk0C&pg=PA233|date=30 June 2005|publisher=Hippocrene Books, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-7818-1143-9|page=51}}{{cite book|title=Rice Bowl: Vegetarian Rice Recipes from India and the World|url=https://www.amazon.com/Rice-Bowl-Vegetarian-Recipes-Dinner-ebook/dp/B01BKM6LJU/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459131360}} Khichdi is a popular rice dish made with rice, mung dal and spices. For special occasions, a dish called masalebhat made with rice, spices and vegetables is popular.{{cite book|author1=Fariba Adelkhah| author-link1=Fariba Adelkhah|author2=Jean-François Bayart|author3=Fondation nationale des sciences politiques. Centre d'études et de recherches internationales|title=Dans les cuisines de Bombay. Travail au féminin et nouvelles sociabilités dans l'Inde d'aujourd'hui|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4F2sS3Ty6yUC&pg=PA7|date=1 November 2007|publisher=KARTHALA Editions|isbn=978-2-8111-4229-2|page=69}}

Milk is important as a staple food.{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=K.S.|title=People of India: Maharashtra (Vol. 30).|date=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan.|page=XLviii}} Both cow milk and water buffalo milk are popular. Milk is used mainly for drinking, to add to tea or coffee or to make homemade dahi (yogurt). Traditionally, yogurt is made every day using previous day's yogurt as the starting bacterial culture to ferment the milk. The Dahi is used as dressing for many salad or koshimbir dishes, to prepare Kadhi, to prepare cultured buttermilk (Taak) or as a side dish in a thali.Misra, R., 2011. Indian Foods: AAPI’s Guide Indian Foods: AAPI’s Guide To Nutrition, Health and Diabetes [http://heartdrsingh.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/APPI_Guide_To_Health_And_Nutrition__2nd_Edition.pdf, page 46]. Buttermilk is used in a drink called mattha by mixing it with spices.{{cite book|author1=John Shi|author2=Chi-Tang Ho|author3=Fereidoon Shahidi|title=Functional Foods of the East|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7VENd7fgLIkC&pg=PA51|date=21 October 2010|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4200-7193-1|pages=58–60}} It may also be used in curry preparations.{{cite book|editor-last1=Yildiz|editor-first1=Fatih|title=Development and manufacture of yogurt and other functional dairy products|date=2010|publisher=CRC Press/Taylor & Francis|location=Boca Raton, FL|isbn=978-1-4200-8207-4|page=11|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=zMCDLlcRaQkC|page=1}}|access-date=23 May 2016}} Milk is also the prerequisite ingredient for butter and Ghee (clarified butter).

File:Veggies.JPG. Top row from left, Sweet potatoes, Awala, winter radish:Middle row from left Guar pods, Bhendi, carrots far right; bottom row, pavta]]

File:Taimo Okinawa.jpg(आळू), a popular leafy vegetable]]

Until recently, canned or frozen food was not widely available in India. Therefore, the vegetables used in a meal widely depended on seasonal availability. In Maharashtra, spring (March–May) is the season of cabbages, onions, potatoes, okra, guar and tondali,{{cite book|last1=Chapman|first1=Pat|title=India--food & cooking : the ultimate book on Indian cuisine|date=2007|publisher=New Holland|location=London|isbn=978-1-84537-619-2|page=160|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=orHWFRMKf4EC|page=6}}|access-date=22 May 2016}} shevgyachya shenga, dudhi, marrow and padwal. During the Monsoon season (June–September) green leafy vegetables, such as aloo (Marathi: आळू), or gourds such as karle, dodka and eggplant become available. Chili peppers, carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, French beans and peas become available in the cooler climate of October to February.{{cite book|last1=Barve|first1=Mangala|last2=Translator: Datar|first2=Snehalata|title=Annapurna|publisher=Majestic Prakashan|location=Mumbai, India|isbn=9788174320032|edition=1|url=http://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/Details/4737998995098041126|access-date=24 December 2014}}

Coal fired roasted young cobs of Sorghum (Jwari) is a popular item during winter picnics to the farms.{{cite book|author=F. R. Ruskin|title=Lost Crops of Africa: Grains|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_87ou6aEaze8C|date=April 1999|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=978-0-7881-7512-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_87ou6aEaze8C/page/n195 178]}}

Vegetables are typically used in making bhaajis (Indian stew). Some bhaajis are made with a single vegetable, while others are made with a combination. Bhaajis can be "dry" such as stir fry or "wet" as in the well-known curry. For example, fenugreek leaves can be used with mung dal or potatoes to make a dry bhhaji or mixed with besan flour and buttermilk to make a curry preparation.{{cite book|author=Camellia Panjabi|title=The Great Curries of India|url=https://archive.org/details/greatcurriesofin00panj|url-access=registration|year=1995|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-684-80383-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/greatcurriesofin00panj/page/44 44]}} Bhaaji requires the use of goda masala, consisting of a combination of cloves, corriander powder, cumin, cinnamon, asafoetida, etc. and kanda-lasun masala made up of onion, garlic, ginger, red chilli powder, green chillies, turmeric and mustard seeds.{{cite book|author=Neelam Batra|title=1,000 Indian Recipes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UmQ9hLYcULMC&pg=PP50|date=12 April 2011|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=978-0-544-18910-2|pages=50–}}{{cite book|author=Monisha Bharadwaj|title=The Indian Spice Kitchen: Essential Ingredients and Over 200 Authentic Recipes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dTm23d7gIk0C&pg=PA233|date=30 June 2005|publisher=Hippocrene Books, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-7818-1143-9|page=90}} Depending on a family's caste or specific religious tradition, onions and garlic may be excluded. For example, a number of Hindu communities from many parts of India refrain from eating onions and garlic altogether during chaturmas, which broadly equals the monsoon season.{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=K.S.|title=Maharashtra|date=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7991-100-4|page=XLVIII|edition=first|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=OmBjoAFMfjoC}}}}

Leafy vegetables such as fenugreek, amaranth, beetroot, radish, dill, colocasia, spinach, ambadi, sorrel (Chuka in Marathi), chakwat, safflower (Kardai in Marathi) and tandulja are either stir-fried (pale bhaaji ) or made into a soup (patal bhaaji ){{cite book|last1=McWilliams|first1=Mark (Editor)|last2=Rowe|first2=Caroline (Author)|title=Food & material culture : proceedings of the oxford symposium on food and cookery|date=2014|publisher=Prospect books|location=Blackawton, Devon, UK|isbn=978-1-909248-40-3|pages=268–269|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=yj8QDgAAQBAJ}}|access-date=30 May 2017}} using buttermilk and gram flour.Singh, G., Kawatra, A. and Sehgal, S., 2001. Nutritional composition of selected green leafy vegetables, herbs and carrots. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 56(4), pp.359-364.Reddy, N.S. and Bhatt, G., 2001. Contents of minerals in green leafy vegetables cultivated in soil fortified with different chemical fertilizers. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 56(1), pp.1-6.Gupta, S., Lakshmi, A.J. and Prakash, J., 2008. Effect of different blanching treatments on ascorbic acid retention in green leafy vegetables. Nat. Prod. Radiance, 7, pp.111-116.

Many vegetables are used in salad preparations called koshimbirs or raita.{{cite book|editor-last1=Yildiz|editor-first1=Fatih|title=Development and manufacture of yogurt and other functional dairy products|date=2010|publisher=CRC Press/Taylor & Francis|location=Boca Raton, FL|isbn=978-1-4200-8207-4|page=11|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=zMCDLlcRaQkC|page=11}}|access-date=23 May 2016}}Mane, Asha, et al. "Improvement in nutritional and therapeutic properties of daily meal items through addition of oyster mushroom." Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products (ICMBMP8), New Delhi, India, 19–22 November 2014. Volume I & II. ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, 2014.{{cite book|author=Anoop Misra|title=Dietary Considerations in Diabetes - ECAB|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lz7unrFubdEC&pg=PT6|date=5 July 2012|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-81-312-3209-5|page=86}} Most of these have dahi (yogurt) as the other main ingredient. Popular Koshimbirs include those based on radish, cucumber and tomato-onion combinations.{{cite book|author=Camellia Panjabi|title=The Great Curries of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYCFJMLZ_-4C&pg=PA7|year=1995|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-684-80383-8|page=177}} Many raita require prior boiling or roasting of the vegetable as in the case of eggplant. Popular raita include those based on carrots, eggplant, pumpkin, dudhi and beetroot respectively.

File:Green gram sprout of Salem.jpg

Along with green vegetables, another class of popular food is various beans, either whole or split. Split beans are called dal and turned into amti (thin lentil soup), or added to vegetables such as dudhi. Dal may be cooked with rice to make khichadi. Whole beans are cooked as is or more popularly soaked in water until sprouted. Unlike Chinese cuisine, the beans are allowed to grow for only a day or two. Curries made out of sprouted beans are called usal and form an important source of proteins.{{cite book|last=Bharadwaj|first=Monisha |title=The Indian Spice Kitchen|publisher=Hippocrene Books|year=2005|edition=Illustrated|pages=167|isbn=0-7818-1143-0|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=dTm23d7gIk0C|page=165}}|access-date=2009-03-03}} The legumes popular in Maharastrian cuisine include peas, chick peas, mung, matki, urid, kidney bean, black-eyed peas, kulith{{cite book|author=Dr. Rupa Shah|title=What About My Calcium?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UM-EDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA3|date=2 December 2018|publisher=CircleOHealth|isbn=978-93-5311-051-2|page=50}} and toor (also called pigeon peas).{{cite book|last1=Bladholm|first1=Linda|title=The Indian grocery store demystified|date=2000|publisher=Renaissance Books|location=Los Angeles|isbn=978-1-58063-143-3|pages=55–63|edition=1st|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=Yg6zCwAAQBAJ|page=55}}|access-date=31 October 2016}} Out of the above toor and chick peas are staples.{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=15}} The urid bean is the base for one of the most popular types of papadumBadami, M., Holla, K.S., Padgaonkar, S.V., JA, M.S. and Singh, M.S.D., PFNDAI Bulletin, 2006, page 6.[http://www.pfndai.com/Dec06.pdf]'.

Peanut oil{{cite book|last1=McWilliams|first1=Mark (Editor)|last2=Rowe|first2=Caroline (Author)|title=Food & material culture : proceedings of the oxford symposium on food and cookery|date=2014|publisher=Prospect books|location=Blackawton, Devon, UK|isbn=978-1-909248-40-3|pages=267|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=yj8QDgAAQBAJ}}|access-date=30 May 2017}} and sunflower oil are the preferred cooking oils; however, cottonseed oil is also used.{{cite book|author=Marshall Cavendish Corporation|title=World and Its People: Eastern and Southern Asia|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=V1pQkwIXTG0C|page=415}}|access-date=28 June 2012|date=September 2007|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-7631-3|pages=415–}} Clarified butter (called ghee) is often used for its distinct flavor. It is served with puran poli, varan bhaat, chapati and many other dishes. Fresh homemade butter is usually served with bhakri.

File:Murraya koenigii leaves - curry leaves.jpgDepending on region, religion and caste, Maharashtrian food can be mild to extremely spicy. Common spices include asafoetida, turmeric, mustard seeds, coriander, cumin, dried bay leaves, and chili powder. Ingredients used especially for kala or black masala spice blend include cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom and nutmeg.{{cite book|author=Camellia Panjabi|title=The Great Curries of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYCFJMLZ_-4C&pg=PA7|year=1995|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-684-80383-8|page=32}} Other spice blends popular in the cuisine include goda masala and Kolhapuri masala.{{cite book|author=Raghavan Iyer|title=660 Curries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PfTnCwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1|date=5 July 2016|publisher=Workman Publishing Company|isbn=978-0-7611-8746-2|page=31}} Common herbs to impart flavor or to garnish a dish include curry leaves and coriander leaves. Many common curry recipes call for garlic, onion, ginger and green chilli pepper. Ingredients that impart sour flavor to the food include yoghurt, tomatoes, tamarind paste, lemon, and amsul skin.{{cite book|last1=Christine|first1=Manfield|title=Spice|date=1999|publisher=Viking|location=London|isbn=978-0-670-87085-1|pages=22|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=GqJ2_MuNmtIC|page=6}}|access-date=25 October 2016}} or unripe mangoes.{{cite book|author1=Ron Herbst|author2=Sharon Tyler Herbst|title=The Deluxe Food Lover's Companion, 2nd edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e8BoCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT8|year=2015|publisher=Barron's Educational Series|isbn=978-1-4380-7621-8}}Nandakumar Kamat (2005), Proceedings and compendium Second National Conference on Kokum.[https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/58070208/wgkf-seminar-compendium.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3Dwgkf_seminar_compendium.pdf&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIATUSBJ6BACWAOFPEZ%2F20200518%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20200518T171841Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEI7%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJIMEYCIQC7zODArJ4vn4s%2BUkIfg5UdOnAShxrk01vL2aGvKCrMbgIhAMzrGBl2%2FWNf3bTu6hNppboSNrsBt8b41lWyVU6tkYvpKr0DCNf%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEQABoMMjUwMzE4ODExMjAwIgx3BUj21erB%2BLPbNLAqkQMAo3yYnmY1R2kkXqlwga5bVPKPQNakGoGDsrs%2BwqFzq19m%2BBKNLJt68B5EbBK76C7j2p9qSb2aHPUx2%2FwOu9CkV3I1Tk57kXmReeCkCk5v3goM5zEQw1qgTlBrgpb3I%2BSjNVJUZo22OuWq8jNBtS1j0FbtNUgUN0%2F51hkz5WVayjMFSuIrWJpmRagBgv7LGjL4ZoVFx5I9aQwZHDsk6uLGfijypSxRjOx1qpS2t7SHnzWwNxNp%2FsJ8XwngehPFiEgGY1ZCBys7%2FXT8Oz1WA%2FvxhfDkofAeRdCVyOyxvPyvGSfNcExh9o%2FwCiPM7HnTY5ozUEOnJXDqj68YMtbuKvqNR3CXXWtzWjZldJYiZHHxCp9mTJJWuNX6aK8ZM7%2BBMgRuhjKccGMAiIVepfjzWpENxZ7dRO3R4ZqW2%2BH1GlOs9SZPp9SB3HXWYKvJliluGypFHCtRl%2F5PyNu50f17H2w77OSuomz2pQnY2IKCfwOdJe5Fu97YXcCavF2mij%2B79IZuhT1kTXKDhSp0TEvTP%2FoNYjDyo4r2BTrqASTSdWqdJPZrLSS56NeagaqFU%2FnN2nKrZSNYFyPoBB%2BqJdfp%2B2CoV5rPGwpjQN5o5lpqdUCyoyEJLJVATRr0TNpfB7mpCCzWWtzBp0Cbbo7Qkl%2BHKz3VWNtSc4IVxUEJP%2FIHRfORkLV3%2BFDWpf0ZSoV8D8RQka85exDK5PzsycE2lvOBst6KbKacer1Q%2BXXt3rElADkR6ZWY2k85JOrgthlZmWWfNMYMG2qHPrTJyN7ArTlx8xHgc8TMiRcUDNox3HRBgOR2%2FNFu4VJCnBWBzZi%2FLfjKqXMVV9DQanf8g%2BbWlBhi06Ol1h8xAg%3D%3D&X-Amz-Signature=810ce40b52ff46740493be15b92020c134d7d0c34e6c18dd3e507df84d6aa396]

File:Malwani Chicken Thali.jpg

Chicken and goat are the most popular sources for meat in Maharashtrian cuisine. Eggs are popular and exclusively come from chicken sources. Beef and pork are also consumed by some sections of Maharashtrian society.{{cite news|last1=PATOLE|first1=SHAHU|title=Why I wrote a book on Dalit food|url=http://www.expressfoodie.com/main-course/why-i-wrote-a-book-on-dalit-food/|access-date=11 September 2016|work=Express Foodie beta|issue=SEPTEMBER 8|date=2016|ref=Anna he Apoorna Brahma’}} However, these do not form part of traditional Maharashtrian cuisine.

File:Indian Mackere.JPG or Indian mackerel]]

Seafood is a staple for many Konkan coastal communities and is popular in other parts of the state too.{{cite book|last1=Sen|first1=Colleen Taylor|title=Food culture in India|date=2004|publisher=Greenwood|location=Westport, Conn.[u.a.]|isbn=0-313-32487-5|page=101|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=J3RSHWePhXwC|page=97}}|access-date=21 April 2016}} Most of the recipes are based on marine fish, prawns and crab. A distinct Malvani cuisine of mainly seafood dishes is popular. Popular fish varieties include Bombay duck,{{cite book|last1=Chapman|first1=Pat|title=India--food & cooking : the ultimate book on Indian cuisine|date=2007|publisher=New Holland|location=London|isbn=978-1-84537-619-2|page=88|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=orHWFRMKf4EC|page=6}}|access-date=22 May 2016}} pomfret, bangda, Rawas, and surmai (kingfish).Reejhsinghani, A. (1975). Delights from Maharashtra. Jaico Publishing House.[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RwMRaDxJcWwC&oi=fnd&pg=PT15&dq=maharashtra+fish+pomfret+bangda+bombay+duck+&ots=7wxOQMuJmO&sig=lror1B3RdpuYTpTkO716zCUzO9k#v=onepage&q=maharashtra%20fish%20pomfret%20bangda%20bombay%20duck&f=false]These fish are used fresh as well as dried in areas around Mumbai.Wavare, A. K. (2015). A study of dry fish markets in Mumbai City. Ethos, 8(2), 11-17. Seafood recipes are prepared in different ways such as curried, Pan frying, or steaming in banana leaves.{{cite book|author=Madhu Gadia|title=New Indian Home Cooking: More Than 100 Delicious Nutritional, and Easy Low-fat Recipes!|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mY3cO8b5iToC&pg=PP11|year=2000|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-55788-343-8|page=15}}

Other ingredients include oil seeds such as flax, karale,{{cite book|last1=Getinet|first1=A|last2=Sharma|first2=S. M.|title=Niger, Guizotia Abyssinica (L. F.) Cass By A|date=1996|publisher=Bioversity International|pages=18|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=FtamVcJzrTAC|page=6}}}}Nikam, T.D. and Shitole, M.G., 1993. Regeneration of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) CV Sahyadri from seedling explants. Plant cell, tissue and organ culture, 32(3), pp.345-349. coconut, peanuts, almonds and cashew nuts. Peanut powder and whole nuts are used in many preparations including, chutney, koshimbir and bhaaji. More expensive nuts such as (almonds and cashew) are used mainly for sweet dishes. Flax and karale seeds are used in making dry chutneys.Arya, A.B., Pradnya, D., Zanvar, V.S. and Devi, R., 2012. Flax Seed Fortification for Value Addition of Chutneys. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 49(2), pp.68-77. Traditionally, sugar cane based jaggery was used as the sweetening agent, but has been largely replaced by refined cane sugar. Fruit such as mango are used in many preparations including pickles, jams, drinks and sweet dishes. Bananas and jackfruit

are also used in many dishes.

Urban menus typically have wheat in the form of chapatis and plain rice as the main staples. Traditional rural households would have millet in form of bhakri on the Deccan plains and rice on the coast as respective staples.{{cite book|last1=Taylor Sen|first1=Colleen|title=Feasts and Fasts A History of Indian Food.|date=2014|publisher=Reaktion Books|location=London|isbn=978-1-78023-352-9|pages=254|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=VN_vCgAAQBAJ}}|access-date=10 June 2016}}

Typical breakfast items include misal, pohe, upma, sheera, sabudana khichadi and thalipeeth. In some households leftover rice from the previous night is fried with onions, turmeric and mustard seeds for breakfast, making {{transliteration|mr|phodnicha bhat}}. Typical Western breakfast items such as cereals, sliced bread and eggs, as well as South Indian items such as idli and dosa are also popular. Tea or coffee is served with breakfast.

File:Maharashtrian Thali.jpg

Vegetarian lunch and dinner plates in urban areas carry a combination of:

• Wheat flatbread such as round chapati or ghadichi poli (layered triangular chapati)
• Boiled rice
• Salad or koshimbir based on onions, tomatoes or cucumber
• Papad or related snacks such as sandge, kurdaya and {{transliteration|mr|sabudana papdya}}Khedkar, R., Shastri, P. and Bawa, A.S., [http://ijeab.com/upload_document/issue_files/23%20IJEAB-AUG-2016-17-Standardization,%20Characterization%20and%20Shelf%20Life%20Studies%20on%20Sandge,%20a%20Traditional%20Food%20Adjunct%20of%20Western%20India.pdf Standardization, Characterization and Shelf Life Studies on Sandge, a Traditional Food Adjunct of Western India]. IJEAB: Open Access Bi-Monthly International Journal: Infogain Publication, 1 (Issue-2)
• Dry or fresh chutney, mango or lemon pickles
• Aamti or varan soup based on toor dal, other dals or kadhi. When usal is part of the menu, the {{transliteration|mr|aamti}} may be omitted.
• Vegetables with gravy based on seasonal availability such as egg plants, okra, potatoes, or cauliflower
• Dry leafy vegetables such as spinach
• Usal based on sprouted or unsprouted whole legumes

Apart from bread, rice, and chutney, other items may be substituted. Families that eat meat, fish and poultry may combine vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, with rice and chapatis remaining the staples. Vegetable or non-vegetable items are essentially dips for the bread or for mixing with rice.

Traditional dinner items are arranged in a circular way. With salt placed at 12 o'clock, pickles, koshimbir and condiments are placed anti-clockwise of the salt. Vegetable preparations are arranged in a clockwise fashion with a sequence of leafy greens curry, dry vegetables, sprouted been curry (usal ) and dal. Rice is always on the periphery rather than in the center.

File:Bhaji-Bhakari.jpg

In the inland areas of Maharashtra such as Desh, Khandesh, Marathwada and Vidarbha, the traditional staple was bhakri with a combination of dal, vegetables, or commonly the chickpea flour based pithale. The bhakri is increasingly replaced by wheat-based chapatis.

In the Konkan coastal area, boiled rice and rice bhakri, nachni bhakri is the staple, with a combination of the vegetable and non-vegetable dishes described in the lunch and dinner menu.

File:Indian Kitchen.JPG

Open stove cooking is the most commonly used cooking method. The traditional three-stone chulha has largely been replaced by kerosene or gas stoves. A stove may be used for cooking in many different ways:

File:Village kitchen in Pune district , India 2012 IMG 1583.jpg

• Phodani – Often translated as "tempering", is a cooking technique and garnish where spices such as mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, and sometimes other ingredients such as minced ginger and garlic are fried briefly in oil or ghee to liberate essential oils from cells and thus enhance their flavours. Other ingredients such as vegetables and meat are then added to the pan.{{cite book|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=fAhtAwAAQBAJ|page=7}}|title=Curry, curry, curry : the heart of Indian cooking|date=1990|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-012993-9|location=New Delhi, India|last1=Rai|first1=Ranjit}}{{cite journal|date=2004|title=Women, Food and the Sustainable Economy: A Simple Relationship|url=http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=crp_fac|journal=Progressive Plannin|volume=158|issue=Winter issue|pages=41–43|last1=Dandekar|first1=Hemalata|access-date=30 October 2016}} Phodani may be the first step in making a bhaaji, {{transliteration|mr|aamti}} or curry. It may also be the last step, as part of a garnish.
• Simmering – Most curries and bhaajis are simmered for the meat or vegetables to cook
• Deep frying – This is used for making fritters such as onion bhaji, or sweet fried dumplings (karanji)
• Pan frying – This is characterized by the use of minimal cooking oil or fat (compared to shallow frying or deep frying); typically using just enough oil to lubricate the pan. This method is used for cooking delicate items such as fish.
• Tawa – This is usually a concave metal pan used on an open stove for making unleavened flatbreads such as ghadichi poli, chapatis or bhakris.
• Steaming – This method is mainly used for specialties such as ukadiche modak, or aluchya wadya.
• Roasting – Vangyache bharit involves roasting eggplant over open fire prior to mashing and adding other ingredients.{{cite book|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=jFyqJdn0qZMC|page=13}}|title=Madhur Jaffrey Indian cooking.|date=2003|publisher=Barron's|isbn=978-0-7641-5649-6|edition=1st ed. for North American.|location=Hauppauge, N.Y.|pages=162|last1=Jaffrey|first1=Madhur|access-date=28 October 2016}}
• Pressure cooking – This technique is used extensively for shortening the cooking time for lentils, meat and rice.

Other methods of food preparation include:

• Baking – Baking is seldom used at home. The bread buns or pav used in popular street foods such as vadapav are baked by commercial bakers.
• Sun drying – Papad, a popular snack, and related products called {{transliteration|mr|papdya}} and kurdaya, are dried in the sun after rolling out. The dried products keep for many months.Khedkar, R., Shastri, P. and Bawa, A.S., Standardization, Characterization and Shelf Life Studies on Sandge, a Traditional Food Adjunct of Western India. IJEAB: Open Access Bi-Monthly International Journal: Infogain Publication, 1(Issue-2).
• Fermentation – This is used mainly for making dahi (yogurt) or home-made butter from cream-enriched milk.,{{cite book|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=lKG1dWnpU2QC}}|title=Culinary Creation: An Introduction to Foodservice and World Cuisine|date=2006|publisher=Butterworth -Henneman|isbn=978-0-7506-7936-7|location=Oxford, UK|pages=281–282|last1=Morgan|first1=James LeRoy|access-date=28 October 2016}}Badami, M., Holla, K.S., Padgaonkar, S.V., JA, M.S. and Singh, M.S.D., PFNDAI Bulletin, 2006, page 4.[http://www.pfndai.com/Dec06.pdf]{{cite book|author=V.K. Joshi|title=Indigenous Fermented Foods of South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bjg0CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA431|date=5 January 2016|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4398-8790-5|pages=86, 431}}

File:Traditional Puranpoli - Homemade - maharashtra.jpg]]

A number of dishes are made for religious occasions, dinner parties or as restaurant items or street food.{{cite book|last1=Seal|first1=Partho Pratim|title=How to Succeed in Hotel Management Job Interviews Kindle Edition|date=2016|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|isbn=978-8184957426|edition=1st|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=26JKDAAAQBAJ|page=13}}|access-date=27 October 2016}}

File:Dummy 19 W.jpg

Meat dishes are prepared in a variety of ways:

• Taambda rassa is a hot spicy curry with red gravy from Kolhapur.
• Pandhara rassa is also a goat curry from Kolhapur with white coconut-milk-based gravy.{{cite book|last1=Wright|first1=Clifford A.|title=Some like it hot : spicy favorites from the world's hot zones|date=2012|publisher=Harvard Common|location=Boston, Mass.|isbn=978-1-55832-269-1|edition=Uncorr. bound galley.|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=K6dkerTrg3IC|page=169}}|access-date=27 October 2016}}
• Popati (पोपटी) – A chicken dish with eggs and val papdi from the Raigad district of the coastal region.
• Malvani chicken
• Kombdi vade – A recipe from Konkan region. Deep-fried flatbread made from spicy rice and urid flour served with chicken curry, more specifically with Malvani chicken curry.

File:Fried Bombay Duck.JPG

Seafood is a staple for many communities that hail from the Konkan region.{{cite book |last1=Joshi |first1=S.R. |last2=Mishra |first2=Anoop |title=Region‐based diets in India |date=2009 |publisher=Reed Elsevier India private Limited |location=Gurgaon, India |isbn=978-978-81-1986-9 |pages=81–82 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lz7unrFubdEC&dq=maharashtra&pg=PA75}} Popular dishes include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• prawn pullao rice{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Stuffed crabs
• Crab masala
• Malvani fish curries
• Kolambi masala
• Stuffed pomfret{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Bombay duck fry
• Prawns fry{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Bangada curry{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Dry Rawas (Rawasche sukhe)
• Fried surmai
• Fish koliwada{{#tag:ref|Fish Koliwada is not part of traditional Maharashtrian cuisine, however, it is an iconic appetizer from Mumbai created by the Singh brothers, Bahadur and Hakam in the 1950s. In 1955, Bahadur Singh along with his brother Hakam Singh folded up their small dhaba near Delhi–Uttar Pradesh highway and moved to Sion in Mumbai where many from his community had already taken shelter after the Partition of India. The brothers started selling the fried fish from a bare-boned makeshift stall. The popularity of their crispy fried-fish led to their first eatery at Sion Koliwada in 1970, aptly named Mini Punjab.{{Citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=June 2017}}|group=note}}

{{Div col end}}

File:Solkadi and Bangda Fry.jpg

{{cite book|last1=Peter|first1=editor, K.V.|title=Underutilized and underexploited horticultural crops|date=2007|publisher=New India Pub. Agency|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788189422691|pages=311–316|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAvg3xLSdTYC&q=calabash+chutney+mahjarashtra&pg=PA175}}

Various vegetable curries or gravies are eaten with rice, usually at both lunch and dinner. Popular dishes include:

• Amti – Lentil or bean curry, which is made mainly from toor dal or other lentils such as mung beans or chickpeas.{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}} In many instances, vegetables are added to the amti preparation. A popular amti recipe has pods of drumsticks added to the toor dal.
• Kadhi – This type of "curry" is made from a combination of buttermilk yoghurt and chickpea flour (besan).{{cite book|last1=Bladholm|first1=Linda|title=The Indian Grocery Store Demystified: A Food Lover's Guide to All the Best Ingredients in the Traditional Foods of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh|date=2000|publisher=Renaissance books|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-1-250-12079-3|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yg6zCwAAQBAJ&q=kadhi&pg=PR9}} In some recipes fried balls based on besan are added.
• Solkadhi – This cold soup is prepared from coconut milk, garlic, cilantro, and kokam concoction, and is a specialty of the cuisine from the coastal region.
• Saar – Thin broth-like soups made from various dals or vegetables.
• Amsulache saar – Made with kokam.{{cite book|last=Khatan|first=Asha|title=Epicure's Vegetarian Cuisines of India|publisher=Popular Prakashan|pages=58|isbn=81-7991-119-5|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=Jsjy5ht2Xh8C|page=57}}|access-date=2009-02-09|date=February 2004}}

• Chutney and preserves – Chutneys and preserves popular in the cuisine include those based on raw mango, mint, tamarind, cilantro, panchamrit, Garlic and mirachicha thecha.{{cite book|author=Asha Khatau|title=Epicure S Vegetarian Cuisines Of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=16mU1bzJx3AC&pg=PA15|date=February 2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7991-119-8|page=67}} Dry chutneys include those based on oil seeds such as flax seed, peanut, sesame, coconut and karale.{{cite book|author=Dr. Rupa Shah|title=What About My Calcium?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UM-EDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA3|date=2 December 2018|publisher=CircleOHealth|isbn=978-93-5311-051-2|page=72}} Chutney based on the skin of roasted vegetables such as bottle gourd is also popular. Most chutneys include green or red chili pepper for their heat. Garlic may also be added.
• Metkut – A dry preparation based on a blend of dry roasted legumes and spices.Renu, K., Pratima, S. and Bawa, A.S., 2016. Standardization, chemical characterization and storage studies on Metkut, a pulse based Indian traditional food adjunct. Food Science Research Journal, 7(1), pp.105-111.Karanjkar, P.L., 1995. Nutritional evaluation of local diets with special reference to processing methods (Doctoral dissertation, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani).[http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/bitstream/1/5810046084/1/TH2843.pdf]
• Lon'che (pickle) – Maharashtrian and Indian pickles in general are prepared using a base of salt, oil and spices.{{cite book|last1=Sen|first1=Colleen Taylor|title=Food culture in India|date=2004|publisher=Greenwood|location=Westport, Conn.[u.a.]|isbn=978-0-313-32487-1|page=65|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIyV_5wrplMC&q=pickles&pg=PA1}} Vegetables and fruits commonly used for pickling in Maharashtrian cuisine include unripe mango, lemons, Aonla, green chillies and Bhokar.Patil, M.V. and Patil, D.A., 2000. Some more wild edible plants of Nasik District (Maharashtra). The ancient science of life, 19(3-4), p.102. Less commonly garlic, ridge gourd etc. are also used.
• Muramba ― Made with unripe mangoes, spices, and sugar.

File:Aam Panna (Kairi cha Panha).JPG

In Maharashtra, the traditional offering (for a guest) used to be water and jaggery (Gulpani). This has been replaced by tea or coffee. These beverages are served with milk and sugar. Occasionally, along with tea leaves, the brew may include spices, freshly grated ginger{{cite book|author=KRISHNA GOPAL DUBEY|title=THE INDIAN CUISINE|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U4woRbF8irsC&pg=PR1|date=27 September 2010|publisher=PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-203-4170-8|page=10}}

and cardamom{{cite web|title=ginger tea |url=http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/ginger-tea-indian-ginger-tea-with-milk/|access-date=20 April 2016|date=2013-02-26}}{{unreliable source?|date=July 2019}} or lemon grass.{{cite web|title=Chaitime|url=http://www.chaitime.com/htmlTemplates/masala_lemongrass_chai.html|access-date=20 April 2016}} Coffee is served with milk or ground nutmeg.{{cite web|title=Vadani kaval gheta|url=http://www.vadanikavalgheta.com/2012/04/coffee-break-instant-coffee-with-touch.html|access-date=19 April 2016}}

Other beverages include:

• Kairi cha panha – A raw mango and jaggery-based drink which is popular during early summer,{{cite news|title=Flavours of Maharashtra at Renaissance|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food/food-festivals/Flavours-of-Maharashtra-at-Renaissance/articleshow/6049294.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030205423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-12/food-festivals/28316194_1_maharashtrian-flavours-mumbai-convention-centre-hotel|url-status=live|archive-date=30 October 2012|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=12 July 2010}}{{cite news|title=Feed your 'Desi Mania' at Nirula's|url=http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=27515§ionid=1|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=Fnbnews|date=10 May 2010}} served cold.
• Piyush – A shrikhand and buttermilk-based sweet preparation.
• Kokum sarbat – kokum and sugar, served cold.
• Solkadhi -prepared with kokum and coconut milk
• Mattha – Spicy buttermilk, served cold.{{cite book|author=Fatih Yildiz|title=Development and Manufacture of Yogurt and Other Functional Dairy Products|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zMCDLlcRaQkC&pg=PA1|date=19 April 2016|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4200-8208-1|page=11}}
• Sugar cane juice – The juice is obtained by crushing peeled sugar cane in a mill. In Maharashtra in every town there are dozens of juice centers where freshly squeezed sugarcane juice is served.
• Banana Shikran – This is consumed with chapatis or puri as part of a meal.
• Masala doodh – Sweet and spicy milk.

File:Sweet shira.jpg

File:Puran Poli and Katachi Amti by Dr. Raju Kasambe 03.jpg]]

File:Anarsa.jpg

Desserts are important part of festival and special occasions. Typical desserts include, flatbread called puran poli with stuffed lentil and jaggery mix, a preparation made from strained yogurt, sugar and spices called shrikhand, a sweet milk preparation made with evaporated milk called basundi, semolina and sugar based kheer and steamed dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery called modak. In some instances, the modak is deep-fried instead of steamed.{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}} Traditionally, these desserts were associated with a particular festival. For example, modak is prepared during the Ganpati Festival.

• Puran Poli is one of the most popular sweet items in the Maharashtrian cuisine.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lazy2cook.com/2015/04/puran-poli.html|title=Puran Poli – Lazy 2 Cook, Loves 2 Eat !!!|date=2015-04-22|work=Lazy 2 Cook, Loves 2 Eat !!!|access-date=2017-07-18|language=en-US}} It is a buttery flatbread stuffed with a mix made of jaggery (molasses or gur ), yellow gram (chana) dal, plain flour, cardamom powder and ghee. It is consumed at almost all festivals. Puran Poli is usually served with milk or a sweet-and-sour dal preparation called katachi amti. In rural areas it used to be served with a thin hot sugar syrup called gulawani.{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Modak is a sweet dumpling that is steamed (ukdiche modak){{cite book|last=Khanna|first=Vikas|title=SAVOUR MUMBAI: A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA's MELTING POT|year=2013|publisher=Westland Limited|location=New Delhi|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=LSTRAQAAQBAJ|page=36}}}}{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}} or fried. Modak is prepared during the Ganesha Festival around August, when it is often given as an offering to Lord Ganesha, as it is reportedly his favorite sweet. The sweet filling is made up of fresh-grated coconut and jaggery, while the soft shell is made from rice flour, or wheat flour mixed with khava or maida flour. The dumpling can be fried or steamed. The steamed version called ukdiche modak is eaten hot with ghee.
• Chirote{{cite web|url=http://www.royalchef.info/2011/10/recipe-for-chirote.html|title=Recipe for Chirote|date=22 October 2011}} is a combination of semolina and plain flour.
• Anarsa is made from soaked powdered rice with jaggery or sugar. The traditional process for creating the anarsa batter takes three days.{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x}}
• Basundi is a sweetened dense milk dessert.CHOUGULE, VM, BK PAWAR, and DM CHOUDHARI. "Sensory quality of Basundi prepared by using cardamom and saffron." Research Journal of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science 5.1 (2015).
• Aamras is a pulp or thick juice made from mangoes, with added sugar and milk. You can learn [https://alphonsomango.in/blogs/recipe/aamras-recipe Aamras recipe] here
• Shrikhand is strained yogurt flavoured with sugar, saffron, cardamom and charoli nuts.{{cite book|author=Camellia Panjabi|title=The Great Curries of India|url=https://archive.org/details/greatcurriesofin00panj|url-access=registration|year=1995|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-684-80383-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/greatcurriesofin00panj/page/179 179]}} Shrikhand is served with puri on auspicious occasions such as Gudhipadwa (Marathi new year).SENAPATI, A., PANDEY, A., ANN, A., RAJ, A., GUPTA, A., DAS, A.J., RENUKA, B., NEOPANY, B., RAJ, D., ANGCHOK, D. and CHYE, F.Y., 2016. INDIGENOUS FERMENTED FOODS INVOLVING ACID FERMENTATION.Singh, Kumar Suresh. People of India: Maharashtra. Vol. 30. Popular Prakashan, 2004.{{cite book|author=Camellia Panjabi|title=The Great Curries of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYCFJMLZ_-4C&pg=PA7|year=1995|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-684-80383-8|page=179}}
• Amrakhand is Shrikhand flavoured with mango, saffron, cardamom and charoli nuts.
• Ladu are a popular snack traditionally prepared for Diwali. Ladus can be based on semolina, gram flour or bundi.
• Pedha are round balls made from a mixture of khoa, sugar and saffron.
• Amba barfi is made from mango pulp.
• Gul Poli is a stuffed wheat-flatbread with gul(Jaggery) paste.
• Amba poli or mango poli: Although called poli, it is not a flatbread but more like a pancake. It is made in summer by sun-drying thin spreads of reduced mango-pulp, possibly with sugar added, on flat plates. (Traditionally large leaves were used instead of plates.) It has no grain in it. Since it is sun-dried in harsh summer, it is durable and can be stored for several months.
• Phanas poli (Jackfruit poli) is similar to Amba poli but made with jackfruit pulp instead of mango.
• Ambavadi
• Chikki is a sugar peanut or other nut preparation.
• Narali paak is a sugar and coconut cake.
• Dudhi halwa is a traditional dessert made with dudhi and milk.

Other sweets popular in Maharashtra and other regions of India include: Kheer, kaju katli, gulab jamun, jalebi, various kinds of barfi, and rasmalai.

File:Vada Paav-The Mumbai Burger.jpg

File:Cooked Poha.jpg]]

File:Maharastrian snack.jpg

File:Kolhapuri Misal Pav.jpg

File:Mumbai-vada.jpg

In many metropolitan areas, including Mumbai and Pune, fast food is popular. The most-popular forms are bhaji, vada pav, misalpav and pav bhaji. More-traditional dishes are sabudana khichadi, pohe, upma, sheera and panipuri. Most Marathi fast food and snacks are lacto-vegetarian.

Some dishes, including {{transliteration|mr|sev bhaji}}, misal pav and patodi are regional dishes within Maharashtra.

• Chivda is spiced flattened rice. It is also known as "Bombay mix" in the UK.
• Pohe is a snack made from pounded rice.Lela Nargi

Gastronomica

Vol. 3, No. 2 (Spring 2003), pp. 83-86

Published by: University of California Press

DOI: 10.1525/gfc.2003.3.2.83

[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/gfc.2003.3.2.83] It is typically served with tea and is the most likely dish that a Maharashtrian will offer a guest. During arranged marriages, kanda pohe (literal translation, "pohe prepared with onion") is most likely the dish served when the two families meet. It is so common that sometimes arranged marriage itself is referred colloquially as kanda pohay. Other variants include batata pohe (where diced potatoes are used instead of onion shreds). Other variants recipes of pohe are {{transliteration|mr|dadpe pohe}}, a mixture of raw pohe with shredded fresh coconut, green chillies, ginger and lemon juice and kachche pohe, raw pohe with minimal embellishments of oil, red chili powder, salt and unsautéed onion shreds.

• Upma, sanja or upeeth is similar to the South Indian upma. It is a thick porridge made from semolina perked up with green chillies, onions and other spices.
• Vada pav is a fast food dish consisting of a fried mashed potato dumpling (vada), eaten sandwiched in a wheat bread bun (pav). This is the Indian version of a burger and is almost always accompanied with red chutney made from garlic and fried red and green chillies. Vada pav in its entirety is rarely made at home, mainly because home baking is not common.{{cite news|last1=Graves|first1=Helen|title=Vada pav sandwich recipe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/03/vada-pav-sandwich-recipe-potato-chutney|newspaper=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|access-date=27 January 2015|date=2013-10-03}}{{cite news|last1=Sarma|first1=Ramya|title=In Search of Mumbai Vada Pav|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/article3657300.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=27 January 2015|date=2012-07-21}}
• Pav bhaji is a fast food dish consisting of a vegetable curry (Marathi: bhaji ) served with a soft bread roll (pav).{{cite book|last1=Dalal|first1=Tarla|title=Mumbai's Roadside Snacks|date=2010|publisher=Sanjay & Company|location=Mumbai|isbn=978-81-89491-66-6|page=60|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=4kjEPd1NmmkC|page=60}}|access-date=31 May 2015|ref=none}}{{cite book|last1=Wells|first1=Troth|title=The world of street food : easy quick meals to cook at home|url=https://archive.org/details/worldofstreetfoo0000well|url-access=registration|date=2006|publisher=New Internationalist|location=London|isbn=978-1-904456-50-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/worldofstreetfoo0000well/page/54 54]}}
• Misal Pav is a dish made from curried sprouted lentils, topped with {{transliteration|mr|batata bhaji}}, pohay, chivda, farsaan, raw chopped onions and tomato. It is sometimes eaten with yogurt. Usually, the misal is served with a wheat-bread bun.{{cite book | author=Richa Hingle| title=Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen: Traditional and Creative Recipes for the Home Cook | publisher=Vegan Heritage Press, LLC | year=2015 | isbn=978-1-941252-10-9 | url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=LCUCBQAAQBAJ|page=237}} | access-date=May 25, 2016 | page=pt237}}
• Thalipeeth is a type of flatbread. It is usually spicy and eaten with curd.{{cite book|last=Khatau|first=Asha|title=Epicure S Vegetarian Cuisines Of India|year=2004|publisher=Popular Prakashan ltd.|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7991-119-5|pages=63|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=16mU1bzJx3AC|page=15}}}} It is a popular traditional breakfast that is prepared using bhajani, a mixture of roasted lentils.
• Sabudana Khichadi: Sautéed sabudana (pearls of sago palm), a dish commonly eaten on religious fast days.
• Khichdi is made of rice and dal with mustard seeds and onions to add flavor.
• Varanfal is traditional Maharashtrian cuisine made up of pieces of dough cooked in the curry of Toor dal. Dal dhokli is a similar dish popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Chana daliche dheerde is a savory crepe made with chana dal.

Like most Indian cuisines, Maharashtrian cuisine is laced with many fried savories, including:

• Aluchi vadi is prepared from colocasia leaves rolled in chickpea flour, steamed and then pan fried.
• Kothimbirichi vadi is made with cilantro leaves.
• Suralichi vadi is a savory snack made from gram flour and yogurt. It consists of yellowish, tightly rolled bite-sized pieces.{{Cite news|url=https://www.maharashtrianrecipes.com/suralichi-vadi/|title=Suralichi Vadi{{!}}Maharashtrian Recipes|date=2016-04-14|work=Maharashtrian Recipes|access-date=2017-11-27|language=en-US}} with garnishing of coconut, coriander leaves and mustard.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaparenting.com/recipes/mainrecipe.cgi?recipe_id=1107&cuisine_id=12|title=Indiaparenting.com – Recipes|website=www.indiaparenting.com|access-date=2017-07-18}}
• Bhelpuri: Bhelpuri (Marathi भेळ) is a savoury snack, and is also a type of chaat. It is made of puffed rice, chopped vegetables such as tomatoes and onions and a tangy tamarind sauce. Bhelpuri is often associated with Mumbai beaches, such as Girguam or Juhu.{{cite book|last1=Chapman|first1=Pat|title=India--food & cooking : the ultimate book on Indian cuisine|date=2007|publisher=New Holland|location=London|isbn=978-1-84537-619-2|page=37|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=orHWFRMKf4EC|page=6}}|access-date=22 May 2016}} Bhelpuri is thought to have originated within the cafes and street-food stalls of Mumbai, and has spread across India where it was modified to suit local food availability. It is also said to be originated from Bhadang (भडंग), a spicy puffed-rice dish from Western Maharashtra. Dry bhel is made from {{transliteration|mr|bhadang}}.
• Sevpuri type of chaat. It originates from Mumbai. In Mumbai, sev puri is strongly associated with street food, but is also served at upscale locations. Supermarkets stock ready-to-eat packets of sev puri and similar snacks like bhelpuri.
• Ragda pattice is a popular Mumbai fast food. This dish is usually served at restaurants that offer Indian fast food along with other dishes. It is a main item on menus of food stalls. This dish has two parts: ragda, a spicy stew based on dry peas and fried potato patties.{{cite book|last1=Wells|first1=Troth|title=The world of street food : easy quick meals to cook at home|date=2006|publisher=New Internationalist|location=London|isbn=1-904456-50-2|page=50|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=Ouz-AwAAQBAJ|page=1}}}}
• Dahipuri is a form of chaat and from Mumbai. It is served with mini puri shells that are more-popularly recognized from the dish pani puri. Dahi puri and pani puri chaats are often sold from the same vendor.
• Sabudana vada is a deep-fried snack based on sabudana. It is often served with spicy green chutney and hot chai and is best eaten fresh.

File:Tilgul kha god god bola.jpg, a Maharashtrian sweet snack]]

Makar Sankranti usually falls on January 14 of the Gregorian calendar. Maharashtrians exchange tilgul or sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds along with the customary salutation, tilgul ghya aani god bola ({{langx|mr|तीळगुळ घ्या आणि गोड गोड बोला|link=no}}), which means "Accept the tilgul and talk sweetly." Tilgul Poli or gulpoli are the main sweet preparations. It is a wheat-based flatbread filled with sesame seeds and jaggery.{{cite book|last1=Sen|first1=Colleen Taylor|title=Food culture in India|date=2004|publisher=Greenwood|location=Westport, Conn.[u.a.]|isbn=978-0-313-32487-1|page=142|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=YIyV_5wrplMC|page=4}}|access-date=31 October 2016}}

Marathi Hindu people fast on this day. Fasting food includes chutney prepared with pulp of the or kavath fruit (Wood apple).{{cite news |last1=Chatterji |first1=Swati |title=Fruit sales surge during Shivratri |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/fruit-sales-surge-during-shivratri/914712/ |access-date=17 July 2021 |work=Indian express |issue=Feb 21 2012 |publisher=The express Group |date=2012}} Some communities use the pulp of Bael/.{{Citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=February 2018}}

As part of Holi, a festival that is celebrated on the full moon evening in the month of Falgun (March or April), a bonfire is lit to symbolize the end of winter and the slaying of a demon in Hindu mythology. People make puran poli as a ritual offering to the holy fire.Taylor Sen, Colleen (2014). Feasts and Fasts A History of Indian Food. London: Reaktion Books. p. 105. {{ISBN|978-1-78023-352-9}}. Retrieved 10 June 2016. The day after the bonfire night is called Dhulivandan. Marathi people celebrate with colors on the fifth day after the bonfire on Rangpanchami.{{sfn|Gupte|1994|p=90}}

On Gudi Padwa, most people make Puran poli, a sweet bread made by stuffing chana dal(Puran). Some peoplehave Puri with potato (batatyachi bhaaji) and bhaji.Shrikhand is also a popular dish for Gudi padwa.

File:Ukadiche Modak (Rice).jpg

Modak is said to be the favorite food of Ganesh. An offering of twenty-one pieces of this sweet preparation is offered on Ganesh Chaturthi and other minor Ganesh-related events.{{cite book|last1=Zealiot|first1=Eleanor|last2=Berntsen|first2=Maxine|title=The experience of Hinduism: Essays on religion in Maharashtra|date=1988|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany, New York, USA|isbn=0-88706-662-3|pages=78|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=7PDr-QF4YmYC|page=76}}}}{{cite journal|last1=Ghosh|first1=Shweta|title=Eating Spaces, Resisting Creation A study of creation and consumption of travel-based food shows on regional and national television|journal=SubVersions|date=2013|volume=1|issue=1|page=96|url=http://subversions.tiss.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Shweta-Ghosh_Subversions_pdf.pdf|access-date=10 June 2016}} Various Maharashtrian communities prepare different dishes specially for Gauri poojan.

File:Diwalicha pharal.JPG, kadboli, shev, gaathi, chiwda and in the center are yellow besan and white rava ladu.]]

Diwali is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. In Maharashtrian tradition family members have a ritual bath before dawn and then sit down for a breakfast of fried sweets and savory snacks called Diwali Faral. These sweets and snacks are offered to visitors and exchanged with neighbors. Typical sweet preparations include ladu, anarse, shankarpali and karanjya. Popular savory treats include chakli, Shev and chiwda.{{cite book |author1=Edmund W. Lusas |author2=Lloyd W. Rooney |title=Snack Foods Processing |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=W_5wlzckPkMC|page=488}} |date=5 June 2001 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4200-1254-5 |pages=488–}} High in fat and low in moisture, these snacks can be stored at room temperature for many weeks without spoiling.

Many Maharashtrian communities from all social levels observe the Khandoba Festival or Champa Shashthi in the month of Mārgashirsh. Households perform Ghatasthapana of Khandoba during this festival. The sixth day of the festival is called Champa Sashthi. For many people, the Chaturmas period ends on Champa Sashthi. It is customary for many families not to consume onions, garlic and eggplant during the Chaturmas. Following the festival, the consumption of these foods resumes with ritual preparation of vangyache bharit (baingan bharta) with rodga.{{sfn|Gupte|1994|p=16}}{{sfn|Pillai|1997|p=192}}

The traditional wedding menu among Maharashtrian Hindu communities used to be a lacto-vegetarian fare with mainly multiple courses of rice dishes with different vegetables and dals. Some menus also included a course with puris. In some communities, the first course was plain rice and the second was dal with masala rice.{{cite web|title=Masale bhat|url=http://indianrecipedelights.blogspot.com/2011/11/masale-bhat_3.html|website=indianrecipedelights.blogspot.com|access-date=28 January 2015}} The main meal typically ended with plain rice and mattha. Some of the most-popular curries to go with this menu and with other festivals were those prepared from taro (Marathi: अलउ) leaves. Buttermilk with spices and coriander leaves, called mattha, is served with the meal. Popular sweets for the wedding menu were shreekhand, boondi ladu and jalebi.{{cite web|last1=by|first1=SHRIYA|title=THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CKP WEDDINGS: FOOD AND DESSERT|url=http://thebigfatindianwedding.com/2015/the-essential-guide-to-ckp-weddings-food-and-dessert|website=The big fat indian wedding|date=23 March 2015|access-date=22 May 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wadeshwar.com/restaurant/maharashtrian-marriage-menu.aspx |title=Maharashtrian Marriage Menu |access-date=2016-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603020655/http://www.wadeshwar.com/restaurant/maharashtrian-marriage-menu.aspx |archive-date=2016-06-03 }}

File:Sabudana Khichdi.jpg

Marathi Hindu people fast on days such as Ekadashi, in honour of Lord Vishnu or his Avatars, Chaturthi in honour of Ganesh, Mondays in honour of Shiva, or Saturdays in honour of Maruti or Saturn.{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=6}} Only certain kinds of foods are allowed to be eaten. These include milk and other dairy products (such as dahi), fruit and Western food items such as sago,{{cite book|last1=Arnott|first1=editor Margaret L.|title=Gastronomy : the anthropology of food and food habitys|date=1975|publisher=Mouton|location=The Hague|isbn=978-9027977397|page=319|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=8mT_aCfrE0UC|page=315}}|access-date=31 October 2016}} potatoes,{{cite book|editor-last1=Walker|editor-first1=Harlan|title=Food on the move : proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 1996, [held in September 1996 at Saint Antony's College, Oxford]|date=1997|publisher=Prospect Books|location=Devon, England|isbn=978-0-907325-79-6|pages=291|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=uYqTiD7SbcQC}}|access-date=31 October 2016}} purple-red sweet potatoes, amaranth seeds,{{cite book|title=Amaranth: Modern Prospects for an Ancient Crop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0D4rAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1|year=1984|publisher=National Academies|page=6|isbn = 9780309324458|id=NAP:14295}} nuts and varyache tandul (shama millet).{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=7}} Popular fasting dishes include Sabudana Khichadi or danyachi amti (peanut soup).{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=63}}

East Indian Catholic Community of North Konkan also have their own special recipes for Christmas. Just like Goa, this includes pork vindaloo and sorpotel. A popular sweet for Christmas includes Fogeas made out of flour, coconut milk, sugar and cottage cheese.{{cite book|author=Chitrita Banerji|title=Eating India: An Odyssey into the Food and Culture of the Land of Spices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XfjOQfPtmw0C&pg=PR11|date=10 December 2008|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-59691-712-5|pages=194–195}} These sweets are offered to visitors and exchanged with neighbors and friends.{{Cite web | url=http://www.east-indians.com/fooddrink.htm |title = The East Indian Community}}

• Indian cuisine
• List of plants used in Indian cuisine

{{Reflist|group=note}}

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• [http://indianfood.bellaonline.com/Site.asp Sadhana Ginde]
• {{cite book|last=Reejhsinghani|first=Aroona|title=Delights from Maharashtra|year=1975|publisher=Jaico Publishing|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7224-518-1|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=RwMRaDxJcWwC|page=10}}}}
• {{cite book|last=Dalal|first=Tarla|title=Faraal Foods for fasting days|year=2010|publisher=Sanjay and Co|location=Mumbai|isbn=9789380392028|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=-C1ZO3BopZUC|page=8}}}}
• {{cite book|first=B. A. |last=Gupte|title=Hindu Holidays and Ceremonials: With Dissertations on Origin, Folklore and Symbols|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=_FSWKWzNSagC|page=1}} |year=1994|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0953-2|pages=1–}}
• {{cite book|last=Pillai|first=S Devadas|title=Indian Sociology Through Ghurye, a Dictionary|year=1997|publisher=Popular Prakashan|location=Mumbai|isbn=81-7154-807-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P3uD22Ghqs4C&pg=PA192}}
• Mehendale, Āditya. Rare Gems: A Non-vegetarian Gourmet Collection from Maharashtra. India, Om Books International, 2015.

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