Food that makes Pujo extra special

Durga pujo is not just a celebration of Durga maa’s homecoming but also of Bengali culture – its music, dance, theatre and glorious history. But talking of culture, can food be far behind, especially when it comes to the eternally food loving gastronome Bengalis?

So venture to any Pujo pandal in the city right now and you will find rows of food stalls selling Bengali specialities. Some of these are set up by commercial interests while most others belong to Bengali housewives who decide to practice their culinary skills as well as gather some good money, and good will, by the way.

Juthika Das, resident of CR Park and an avid cook, is a veteran at all the Pujo pandals of the ‘mini Kolkata’ in Delhi. Like almost every other year, she is preparing patishapta (rolls of khoya or grated coconut) and luchi-ghugni (Indian fried bread and chickpeas in gravy). She says, “My patishapa rolls and luchi-ghugni are a hit in the neighbourhood. These are time-tested recipes which I have further improved upon. Of course, my kids taste them first and if they approve of the dishes, only then, I take them to the pandal.”

Sharmishtha Chakraborty of Noida Sector 51 makes malpoa (pancakes in sugar syrup) and nimkin (snacks) for her neighbourhood Puja. She informs us, “I start work on a war-footing on the morning of panchami itself as we have Anando mela that day. Anondo mela is basically a fair where the local Bengali women set up stalls selling choice Bengali dishes. With my malpoa and nimkin, I rake in the maximum amount of profits as well as a special prize for the best food items, at the mela every year.”

Ruma Ghosh of Kashmere Gate Sharbojonik Pujo specialises in non-vegetarian items – chops with chicken breast filling and kosha mangsho and luchi. “Kosha mangsho-luchi is a Bengali delicacy. The mangsho (meat) is prepared with lots of oil and spices and very little water, ensuring a tasty and thick gravy. It is very enjoyable with luchi. As for the chops, they are a regular at my home and child’s play for me, just that during Puja, they acquire a special importance.”