Flavor of Dashain
‘Dal Bhaat Masu’, we love to eat during Dashain! A nearly seven-day holiday means playing cards and feasting on various delicacies. Every household engages in making an age-old food recipe with absolute joy. Since food has a way of bringing all of us together, let’s talk about staple food eaten during this festive season.
A tantalizing appetizer popular in a Newari household, Chhoila is a famous dish served with chiura (beaten ride). Commonly there are two types of Chhoila, Haku and Mana wherein mana means ‘boiled’ and Haku means ‘black’ referring to meat cooked over fire. It is made with buffalo meat, nowadays we make the dish with other types of meat as well.
In the same genre of unique eats, Sukuti is dried meat marinated with spices over charcoal or a fireplace. Sukuti Sadheko is a dish that is a mixture of cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, red onions, and chilies. Largely served as a snack with noodles or chowmein, extra crunchy peanuts, and raw shelled green peas are also a good addition.
We all crave the savory taste of Sekuwa which is a Nepali way of cooking barbecue. An iconic food found especially in eastern Nepal and Kathmandu, it’s a true meat lover's dish. It could be a goat, lamb, pork, chicken, or even a mixture of it all. Now that sounds like fun!
Experience the delicate and rich flavor of Jhuku aka Blood Sausage. The diced, boiled and fried intestine consisting of white blood cells might not be the go-to choice. However, for people who love experimenting with their food, this dish is a must-try!
Enjoying a piece of grilled Mutton Sekuwa meat with a hint of lime, chili, and Sichuan pepper sure takes us down the road of nostalgia. Am I right? The cuts in the tender boneless meat give a smoky taste and add a bit of crispiness to each bite. Traditionally, we enjoy this treasured food with local Dashain drinks while playing cards.
As part of reminiscing exquisite recipes, consuming Mutton Curry among the Kshatriyas and Brahmins has its own significance. Some families buy a goat and keep it in the house for a few days. On the eighth day of Dashain, the goat is sacrificed and offered to God. Every part of the meat is enjoyed. Bhutan (fried intestine) is eaten with drinks while Mutton Kebab is devoured at all times.
Also, ever heard of pakku? A marinated dish with immense spices cooked in a low level of heat for a long time giving it the texture of pakku which is tender and flavorful. Due to culinary diversity, every household has its own cooking of this meaty treat. That’s why you get to try different variations of the classic goat pakku!
Talking about options that appeal to all vegetarians out there, Bhatmas Sadheko is the perfect appetizer eaten in the form of a snack or side dish. Also found in a Newari platter, people of all ages relish its well-seasoned taste. Another dominant cuisine is fermented radish pickle. Mula Ko Achar gives off a certain kick of spices making the experience really enjoyable. For all kimchi lovers, give this a try!
Once the holiday starts, there’s no work, no obligation and the only thing to think about is FOOD! Nowadays, we can even see people sharing their unique customs, traditions, and family recipes bringing in a lot more palatable options as part of a cultural amalgam.
Having said that, this Dashain you can create your own signature dish or stick to your grandma's curated recipes. Either way, it’s going to be a flavorful season!