The coastal state of Maharashtra has come a long way from being a small trading hub to become the commercial capital of the country. The journey is quite evident in the culinary evolution of the state. You would find the cosmopolitan flavor in the cuisine of Maharashtra. Despite the diversity, the profound presence of spices, tamarind, coconut and kokum is present in the cuisine of Maharashtra. Whether you visit Maharashtra for a vacation or business, remember to dig into the delectable delights for a wonderful gastronomic journey and to get a taste of Maharashtra.
1. Pav Bhaji:
Pav Bhaji is probably the most popular dish of Maharashtra. You would definitely find it everywhere in the country. Just like you must eat pizza in Italy, you cannot miss out on pav bhaji in Maharashtra. So, during your next visit to Mumbai, do not forget to snack on the appetising Pav Bhaji before retiring in one of the hourly couple friendly hotels in Andheri.
2. Misal Pav:
Another popular pav preparation from Maharashtra is Misal Pav. A spicy and tangy curry of lentils with the pav bread is the delightful treat of Misal Pav. Sometimes, yogurt is accompanied with the dish to taper down the spiciness. Depending on the place of origin, there is a variety of Misal Pav like Nagpuri Misal, Mumbai Misal and Puneri Misal. Do not forget to savour the toothsome delight before retiring in one of the hourly couple friendly hotels in Nagpur for the day.
3. Vada Pav:
Vada Pav is another pav preparation from the appetising treasure trove of the cuisine of Maharashtra. It is an Indian burger. The potato patty is deep fried and extremely delicious. The spices, sauces and chutneys added to the Vada Pav enhance the taste further. A variety of the Vada Pav is the Bhajiya Pav. It consists of onion fritters instead of potato patties. After reaching Pune, freshen up in one of the hourly couple friendly hotels in Viman Nagar and start your vacation with the lip-smacking Vada Pav.
4. Bhel Puri:
Puffed rice is mixed with spices, vegetables, variety of sev and tamarind sauce or chutney to prepare the delightfully crunchy snack. There is nothing more blissful than an evening stroll on the beach with a packet of puffed rice. Before checking into one of the hourly hotels near Marine Drive, enjoy a stroll on the drive with luscious Bhel Puri for company.
5. Ragda Pattice:
Potato patties are mixed with peas curry, onion and other spices to prepare the delightful snack. The tangy and crispy snack is toothsome and would leave you craving for more. Snack on Ragda Pattice as you travel the lanes and by-lanes of Mumbai and stay in one of the hourly hotels in Bandra for the perfect vacation in Mumbai.
6. Pithla:
Gram flour is mixed and cooked with a variety of spices to prepare the curry. The semi-solid pithla curry is close to the North Indian Kadhi without the yoghurt. It is very delicious and makes a wholesome meal with flatbreads or Bhakri. The sumptuous meal would keep you away from snacking till you check into one of the hourly hotels in Khar.
7. Bharli Vangi:
You take the first bite and you would be confused about the taste. You take the second, the confusion persists. No matter the spoonfuls, the taste would confuse you till the end. The brinjals are stuffed with coconut, jaggery, onions and goda masala to prepare the dish. The mixed stuffing is a treat for your palette with the diverse flavours. Your Maharashtra vacation would be quite incomplete without tasting the flavoursome dish. So, before you check into one of the hourly hotels near Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on the last day of your stay please dig into a plateful of the dish.
8. Aamti Dal:
The signature Maharashtra dal is famous for its distinct flavour and taste. The delightful piquancy is enticing. You must enjoy a sumptuous meal with it in one of the hourly hotels in Vashi, Mumbai during your vacation.
9. Rassa:
Rassa is the signature non-vegetarian curry of Maharashtra. Fish, chicken, mutton and other varieties of meat taste equally delicious in the flavoursome Rassa. Depending on the place and available spices, there are a variety of curries available. They are generally very spicy, except the yoghurt based Pandhra Rassa.
10. Bombil:
You absolutely cannot visit a coastal state and not taste sea-food. Bombil or Bombay Duck is a popular fish. Whether you indulge in the fry or curry, you would definitely love the succulent fish. There are a plethora of recipes of the fish you can enjoy in one of the relaxing hourly hotels in Colaba.
11. Sol Kadhi:
The delightful appetizer is prepared by mixing coconut milk with kokum fruit and other spices. The healthy drink is renowned for the digestive properties as well. As you spend the day sight-seeing, after checking out from one of the hourly hotels in Santacruz, the healthy drink would surely help to keep your health woes away.
12. Kairi Panha Cha:
The refreshing raw mango drink is a summer specialty. If you visit Maharashtra during the summer season do not forget to savour the drink. It is a soothing drink under the scorching sun. As you relax in one of the hourly day-use hotels near Kurla, you can unwind over a Kairi Panha Cha.
13. Modak:
Ganesh Chaturthi is incomplete without the Modak. The grated coconut is mixed with jaggery to prepare the sweet filling of the rice flour. The steamed sweets are a treat for your sweet tooth. You must visit Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and enjoy the modak in almost every sweet shop in the city. You must stay in one of the hourly hotels in Mumbai to avoid being bound to the same hotel for your entire stay.
14. Puran Poli:
The Marathi New Year, Gudi Padwa is celebrated extensively in Maharashtra. Puran Poli is the signature dessert of Gudi Parwa. Yellow gram is grind to form a paste. The paste is cooked with jaggery, ghee and cardamom to make the filling of the paratha. The sweet paratha is a delightful dessert with a wholesome meal.
15. Basundi:
Basundi is another dessert from the treasure trove of desserts from Maharashtra. Sweetened milk is condensed and mixed with cardamom and saffron to prepare the sweet. A variety of fruits are mixed with the sweet condensed milk to add flavor and taste. You can end your day on a sweet note in one of the hourly hotels in Pune with a bowl of Basundi.
You should visit Maharashtra for a wonderful journey and enjoy the gastronomic treat of the cuisine. The best time to visit Mumbai is during Ganesh Chaturthi. The pomp and gaiety is enticing and the gastronomic treats enrich the experience further.