Food & Nature

Its pouring outside my window. The much awaited monsoon just arrived in Mumbai and brought with it the intoxicating smell of the earth and the tastes of the various foods associated with it.

Foods are magical, combine them with the right atmosphere and they can lift any gloomy spirit.

The scorching summer, the fresh monsoon and the pleasant winter - food plays a significant role in defining the character of these moods of nature.

Gorge on the innumerable mango preparations in summer. Cut mangoes, aamras, Mango icecream, fresh mangoes with vanilla icecream, mango mousse, mango barfi – you name it and we have it. Another favourite is lime juice or nimbu paani as we call it. Ice cold nimbu paani can drive away all fatigue and give you much needed respite from heat.

Come monsoon, and with it comes the roasted corn or bhutta as it is popularly known, cutting chai – half cup of tea and onion pakoras or kanda bhajjis as they are locally known as.

Bhutta, chai, kanda bhajji – now, don’t you just want to dig into these right now?? The chai vendor outside my lane is doing brisk business these days, even in the evenings. One bhutta vendor has already set up shop in the area and by next week, I am bound to see atleast two more in the same vicinity.

I just enjoyed a juicy bhutta, while nicely getting wet in the soft drizzle.

Nothing can beat the joy of having a piping hot, tender bhutta roasted on a traditional coal sigri and top it with rain!!

And what do I say about kanda bhajji!! Mouth watering kanda bhajji combined with rain can be the best snack ever. For chai lovers, wash it down with a cup of hot tea and aren’t you in heaven already??.

So what are you doing reading this, rush to the nearest shop and have your fill. While you do that, I will continue enjoying nature at its very best.

Thanks for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: Rain, Monsoon, Roasted Corn, Kanda Bhajji