Kachchh (also spelled as Kutch) is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,612 km², it is the largest district in the state of Gujarat and the second largest district of India after Leh.
Kachchh literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; large part of this district known as Rann of Kachchh is shallow wet-land which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word is also used in the languages of Sanskrit origin for a tortoise and garments to be worn while having a bath. It is interesting to note that when its map viewed upside down, it resembles a tortoise.
Kachchh District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kachchh and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Small Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kachchh. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kachchh remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of year.
Kutchi cuisine is relatively simple. It consists of Khichdi, the main dish eaten with Kadhi - a savoury curry made of yoghurt using curry patta, ginger, chillies and finely chopped vegetables as garnishing - onions and pickels.
Some common dishes include Khaman Dhokla, a salty steamed cake, Doodhpak, a sweet, thickened milk confectionery and Shrikhand, dessert made of yoghurt, flavoured with saffron, cardamom, nuts and candied fruit which is eaten with hot, fluffy pooris.
There are salads of chopped and grated vegetables, chutneys of mint and coriander - all served in earthenware. Bajra-ki-roti, dals (lentils), an assortment of green vegetables, kadhi and khichari cooked with a minimum of spices. The butter is homemade and the ghee is pure.
Kutchi food is very simple. Vegetables are cooked with very little seasoning and with water. And for some reason, there is a lot of emphasis on cutting vegetables properly and neatly.
I am trying to set this up blog and get some recipes posted, so if you can please send me some Real Kutchi Food recipes.
