Local Food
Food is something that makes a connection between people from different regions. The food of a region reflects the culture and tradition of that place. The food of Assamm has its own style and pattern that is different from other states of India and other northeastern states. Kaziranga is located in the state of Assam and the food here is simple and flavourful. The staple foods or you can say the main ingredients here are rice, fish, meat, and vegetables with herbs. The traditional cooking style of this place is famous because of less use of spices. Because the spices are not used in quantity, one can taste the natural flavor of ingredients which makes the cuisines more flavourful. Some common methods such as fermentation and smoking are used here to cook the dishes. "Bhoot Jolokia" also known as ghost pepper is the hottest chili in the world and it is used here to make food. The cuisine of Assam is characterized as simple because the food here is less spicy as compared to other dishes. The food cooked here is much healthier and provides a natural flavor of the ingredients because of less use of herbs and vegetables and less use of spices. The cuisines that are prepared in this state are generally low in oil and spices but the exotic herbs, meat, and the Bhoot Jolokia add a strong flavor to the food.
1. Pitha
This one is like the home-cooked rice cake and it’s one of the best snack time sides of Assam. People usually eat it during the morning for breakfast or in the evening with tea. Pitha can be sweet or savory, steamed or fried, and many varieties of this item can be found in households. Some different Pithas of Assam are ghila pitha, til pitha, bora pitha, narikol pitha, tekelir mukhot-diya pitha, bhaat pitha, luthuri pitha, sunga pitha, etc.
2. Masor Tenga
This one is a tangy fish curry that is light and has good taste. A gravy of tomatoes, elephant fruit, and lemon is made and then the local fish of Assam is slow-cooked in the gravy to make this delicious dish. The end result is a mouth-watering curry eaten with rice and some side dishes.
3. Duck Meat Recipes
This is a flavourful meat used in various Assam dishes. This meat is made mostly during festivals. Whole spices are used to make duck meat dishes and give the recipe a unique flavor. This meat can be cooked differently according to the preferences. Duck meat can be cooked with lentils, sesame, pumpkin, and other ingredients.
4. Aloo Pitika
This one is a comfort food of Assam that is served as a side dish with the main food. Assamese love this one a lot and mostly they have it with rice and dal. To make it, mashed potatoes are seasoned with mustard oil, onion, coriander, salt, and green chilies. This can be eaten at lunch or dinner. This kind of potato is delightfully simple and flavorsome.
5. Bamboo Shoot Fry
To make this, bamboo shoots are cleaned properly with water, and then they are stir-fried with spices. This is eaten with most of the dishes as a side dish that adds flavor to the food.
6. Khar
It is one of the common dishes in the Assamese houses but this dish is uncommon to others. The aroma of this dish attracts people to have it more and more. The name of the dish is based on the main ingredient which is Khar. The magic that makes this dish amazing is the sun-dried banana peel. Mostly during festivals, you can find it in every household and people say that their celebrations are incomplete without this amazing dish.