Food market: India INTRODUCCIÓN

Yanir Cedeno

Cultural Market Tour: India

DFN 220-02

Prof. Mary Opfer

Indian culture and cuisine is known throughout the world as one of the most vibrant and mystical that exist today, which is reflected in aspects that range from religion to architecture, art, gastronomy or customs. Indian food is known for its delicious curries, and for the sophisticated use of various spices, always based on rice and other starches. Many of the different spices that we consume today, such as black pepper, originate from there, and visiting Roosevelt Ave in Jackson Heights, felt like we took a flight and landed right in Mumbai.

The imagery of Jackson Heights, is unique. I consider it one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of queens, the smell of incense, colorful clothes and signs, architecture and shops are some of the things that make it so special and very ethnic. The first item we tried was something called, Samosa at a restaurant called Samudra, very similar to an empanada or an eggroll, but with a very thin and crunchy outer shell, very similar to phyllo pastry, I tried the traditional ones, stuffed with potatoes, peas and carrots. although in other places it is possible to find them stuffed with chicken or lamb.  They were very crunchy and flavorful, In the gastronomic culture of India, the first thing that is noticed is its flavors supported using spices, combined with vegetables, which make Indian cuisine moderately healthy, always considering the enormity of this country and the amount of different styles depending on the regions. Some people think that the smell of spices was what attracted the British to India.  the most important ingredients used in Indian cuisine are rice, atta, a special type of whole wheat flour with which bread is made, and at least five dozen varieties of legumes. The most important is the chana (chickpea), as well as the toor (Indian chickpea), the urad (black lentil) and the mung (green soybean).  

Something else that I learned, when I spoke with one of the vendors of produce, was that not only is there a great variety of foods, but there are certain protocols to be followed when eating in their culture. For example, as a sign of respect, people eat with their hands directly in their mouths, in the houses they usually use a single dish for several people, being the pride of the grandparents that their grandchildren share the dishes with them.  Food, is part of the dowry or the gifts that are offered to the bride and groom on their wedding day, and feeding the animals, cows, birds, monkeys, rats attracts good luck and prosperity.

The next stop in the Tour, was a cute little bakery, that specializes in an assortment of pastries, very colorful and with different shapes and sizes, Indian sweets do not look anything like the traditional desserts of the West and not having a point of reference can make it hard to decipher what is on your plate and how you eat. The first dessert that I tasted, is called Barfi, It has the appearance of a nougat but its consistency is softer and creamier, with an intense white color provided by the use of condensed milk, although there are other variants made with saffron, chocolate, almond or walnut. and according to the seller, the name comes from the Urdu word "barf", which means snow, due to its white color, I enjoyed this particular spot, because I have a little bit of a sweet tooth and enjoy baking as well, I think this pastry would be great for a family meal and I liked it so much that I looked for the recipe to make them at  home; I love discovering dishes from other cultures and, specifically Indian pastry shops, were quite unknown to me, yet I was amazed to find some similarities in certain pastries to The Dominican Ones that I’m used to making like using coconut flakes and nuts.

...