The variety of lifestyles that vary from state to state in our country is simply mind boggling and more bewildering is the various number of cuisines that come from place to place. Even if these mouthwatering foods are traditional to certain region, they are available everywhere and sometimes adapted into different names depending on the location. So if you are out of home state and looking for something familiar here are a few recipes that you can get anywhere just in different name.
1) Panipuri
Panipuri is a dish that originated from south bihar where it is also known as ‘phulki’ and is available at any place with Indian people which basically means all over the world. This tangy snack is known as ‘golgappa’ in northern states, ‘paanipatase’ inU.P and Rajasthan, ‘gupchup’ in parts of jharkhand, west bengal and hydrabad, ’phuchka’ in bengal, and are called ‘paanikebatase’ in urdu.
2) Chiwda
‘Bombay mix’ is what the English refer to the traditional indian snack of ‘Chiwda’ [although it originated from Gujarat]. This spicy mix is known as chivdo, ‘bhuso” if made without potato.In Orissa they call it ‘Chanāchura’ or ‘chanachur” in Bengal. [Fun fact – in Myanmar they are known as ‘sarkalaychee’, which literally means sparrows’ droppings, referring to the lentil strips].
3) Samosa
Samosa which was originally called as ‘Sambosa’, came from the Middle East before the 10th century. It is known as “sing-ra” in Assamese, “shingada” in oriya and “chamuça” in Goa and Portugal.
4) Pakoda
This spicy appetizer is famous all over south asia and can be found in variety of flavors as per the ingredient. It is famously called pakoda or pakora but is also known as bhajji (only onion). A version of pakoda is known as noon bariya in U.P and in Udippi cuisine they are called GoliBajje.
5) Puffed rice
These are like desi popcorn and are almost found everywhere. Famously used in bhel, the sheer number of recipes in which puffed rice are found is too big for this list but here are some names that they are known as- Murmure in Maharashtra, Muri in assam and Bengal and they are also known as mamra and churmuri in gujrat and Kannada.
Gorge on these desisnaks all over India, especially now that you know what their name variations try calling them by their home state names.
Summary – When someone from somewheredescribed India as a salad bowl because of the sheer number of cultures our country beholds, it stuck a chord with me (although no one can accuse India as being bland as a salad).
