Maharashtra foods, comprising the famous ‘pav bhaji,' 'modak,' ‘vada pav,' etc., are an excellent treat for foodies. This western peninsular state has its cuisines influenced by Goan and Vidarbha regions. However, as far as flavours are concerned, Maharashtra cuisines vary from place to place. This is what makes its foods popular all over India.
Here we have rounded off a list of 11 delicious Maharashtra foods that will fire up your hunger. Let’s see them one by one.
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Vada Pav
Have you ever tried the Indian style of burger? Maharashtra’s vada pav needs no introduction. Its lovers are all over the world. Spicy, deep-fried potato vada is placed between pav (bread slice). The pav features a mix of spicy chutneys and fried green chillies that take its flavour to the next level.
If you ever visit Maharashtra, make sure to taste vada pav. It's not only economical but easily available. Maharashtrians are fond of this desi snack and love having it on any given day.
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Pav Bhaji
No Maharashtrian cuisine is complete without pav bhaji. This has become the face of Maharashtrian cuisine. A delicious mix of spicy vegetables smashed to perfection, and a generous amount of butter make it appetizing. Enjoy this vegetable mix with fresh slices of bread, called pav, to double its taste.
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Misal Pav
It is famous not only in Pune but all over India. Misal pav makes one of the famous breakfast staples. You can enjoy it for lunch as well as dinner. This street food of Maharashtra is a bit spicy and tangy in taste.
Misal is prepared using moth beans — a kind of lentil. It is served with pav or bread. You can find different types of misal in other parts of Maharashtra, such as Mumbai Misal, Nagpuri Misal, Puneri Misal, and Kolhapuri Misal.
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Ragda Pattice
This famous street food is served in hot ragda (boiled and spiced white peas). To further enhance its flavour, it is garnished with onions, green chutney, tamarind chutney, and sev. When in Maharashtra, don’t forget to savour this awesome food. You can also make ragda patties at home on any given day.
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Puran Poli
Besides having a long list of spicy food, Maharashtra has something for sweet tooth as well. Puran Poli is a famous sweet treat that comes in the form of paratha. Yes, it looks like paratha but tastes sweet.
It is made from yellow gram (chana dal), jaggery, and plain flour. The people of Maharashtra prepare this dish on special occasions. But you can enjoy it on any day.
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Modak
Modak is yet another dessert quite famous in Maharashtra. People love to relish it during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. The exterior of this dessert is made of rice flour (you can use basmati rice or any other rice), while the interior consists of gradated coconut and jaggery.
It makes a sweet treat for all on special occasions. So if you're in Maharashtra, try this lovely dish.
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Rassa
Rassa is a classic non-vegetarian dish of Maharashtra. It is made using chicken, mutton, or fish. Rassa, or ras, means watery curry, which hails from Kolhapur. It is also called "Taambde," a red curry made using Kolhapuri chillies.
There are many variations in rassa, such as Pandhra rassa and Varhadi rassa. While Pandhra rassa has yogurt-based white curry, Varhadi rassa is based on chicken curry.
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Aamti
Aamti, or amti, is a famous dal of Maharashtra. It looks simple but has an elevated taste. Emerging from Vidarbha, this dish takes just a few minutes to prepare. At present, you can find over 51 aamti versions, and each of them is easy to prepare. So if you want comfort food, you should choose this while in Maharashtra. It's healthy and packed with protein too.
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Bharli Vangi
Bharli Vangi, or stuffed eggplant, is yet another Maharashtrian recipe worth your consideration. The recipe is prepared by stuffing coconut, onions, and jaggery inside the eggplants (baingan or brinjal). It makes an excellent dish for vegetarians.
Bharli Baingan, or Vangi, makes a staple for the Maharashtrian people. It is cooked on special occasions and festivals as well. You can enjoy this recipe with rice or chapatti.
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Basundi
Do you want to treat your taste buds after a meal? If yes, give Basundi a try. It’s a sweet dish loved by the people of Maharashtra. Akin to rabri, famous in Northern India, basundi is prepared with thick-boiled milk.
This dessert is quite common to see on occasions like Chaudas and Bhaubeej. Besides, it has many variations, such as, Angoor basundi, Sitaphal basundi, and more.
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Sol Kadhi
Well, the last Maharashtrian dish on our list is — Sol Kadhi. It’s a flavourful curry, unlike regular kadhi, with a pinkish color. It is prepared from dried kokum fruits and coconut milk. It's highly nutritious, and you can enjoy it during or after a meal. The creamy texture is sure to transfer you to the world of flavours.
Conclusion
That’s our list of Maharashtrian foods. Don’t forget to share your favourite Maharashtrian dish with us.
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