Wedding Food
Weddings today have changed.Now you see a fusion of customs and cuisines,as people are marrying people from different backgrounds and culture than their own.At times,we see traditional customs of both the sides and that's enriching!As far as food goes,I am tired of seeing Tawa Sabzi,Methi Malai Mutter and Paneer Makhanwala at every other wedding.Two weddings I attended recently had traditional food, which was a refreshing change.
The Maharashtrian wedding of my niece Rishika to Vineet was held at Indraprastha Hall in Pune.Indraprastha used to be the capital of the Pandava kingdom in Mahabharata.
Maharashtrian weddings are not long drawn affairs.The Muhurta is in the morning around 10am or 11am,The bride and groom aren't allowed to see each other till the "Shubhamangalam-Savadhaan" is over.They are separated by the Antarpat or a curtain which is removed once songs and mantras have been chanted.They are then lifted in the air by relatives and friends and they garland each other.
Earlier food used to be served on banana leaves but now melamine plates are the order of the day.
At Rshika and Vineet's wedding there were Jilbees (or Jalebi)
and Mattha or spiced buttermilk which aids digestion.The Jilbee is dipped in Mattha and eaten.
Bharli Vangi or Stuffed Brinjals which were flavorful and colorful
Batatya chi Bhaaji...a spiced potato vegetable,common at home but well loved!
Bhajji or Mixed Vegetable Fritters.
Alu Chi Patal Bhaaji,a sweet and sour curry made of Colocassia leaves and peanuts.
Bhaat
Varan or Lentils/Toor Dal
And a dash of Ghee or Toop.This cooking medium has been used by Indians for centuries and they remained healthy.While it has some amount of saturated fat and cholesterol,the Indian diet (as compared to Western Diet) does not have many sources of either.Which is why it can be used in small amounts,without exceeding the advised limits of saturated fat and cholesterol content in daily diet.Trans fats or hydrogenated fats (vanaspati) on the other hand are detrimental to health and must not be used.Maharashtrian wedding food is always vegetarian.It is simple but delicious!
Comments
Simple vegetarian fare can be really delicious, I fondly remember the meals I used to have at a friend's place in Pune years ago. I haven't eaten Maharashtrian food like that ever again.
thanks for visiting my site. i can see that you are passionate about food! i was thinking of giving myself an indian food challenge week, in which i try to prepare several indian dishes at home. any suggestions for that?
x shannon
Nice to see the contrast between the two weddings
zonia