Bengali food is deeply rooted with tradition, culture and heritage. The swaying of kashful, the sound of dhak and the smell of siuli call for Durga Puja. And for every Bengali, Durga Puja is incomplete without digging into traditional Bengali foods. The craziness of Durga Puja is relatable to pandal hopping, wearing new clothes, hanging out with friends and most importantly, relishing Traditional Bengali foods. The festival of Durga Puja begins on the 6th day of Navaratri and if you are in Kolkata, the city offers one of the grandest celebrations across the globe. Durga Puja in Kolkata is a carnival of lights, devotion, culture and definitely food. While pandals dazzle with grandeur, the city streets turn into a paradise for every foodie.
10 Bengali Foods That Are Irresistible And a Must-Try During Durga Puja
Durga Puja calls for Bengali foods and it is that time of the year when families meet, friends catch up and quality time is spent on brunches or dinners. Here are the ten best traditional Durga Puja foods you must try if you are spending Durga Puja in Kolkata.
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Sukto
Any Bengali occasion is incomplete without Sukto. It is considered auspicious in traditional Bengali culture. It is a mandatory fixture at major Bengali occasions like weddings, rice ceremonies and Poila Baisakh. One of the popular Bengali Foods, Sukto is a light, aromatic, creamy and slightly bitter vegetable stew made with raw banana, sweet potato, brinjal, bitter gourd, potato, drumstick and cooked with coconut milk gravy and mustard paste. It is usually served as the opening course.
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Potoler Dolma
Considered as a pure veg dish, Potoler Dolma is a must-have traditional Bengali foods that has its roots in the Armenian traders who once settled in Chinsura, Hoogly. With time, local flavours and ingredients replaced foreign fillings with paneer or chenna, making it more regionally specific. Cooked by scraping pointed gourds, deseeded and stuffed with either chenna or paneer, then cooked in light, tangy gravy and mild spices. Potoler Dolma is a must-try among Bengali foods for Durga Puja.
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Chingri Macher Malayikari
Bengalis have a separate fanbase for prawns or chingri mach. It is one such item that blends with vegetables, pulao and even complements separately as a curry. Chingri Macher Malayikari is a creamy curry featuring tiger prawns cooked in coconut milk with a blend of garam masala, whole spices and flavoured ghee. This dish is often paired with pulao or paratha.
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Misti Pulao
Unlike other pulao varieties, Bengal’s misti pulao is unique. It is mild, loaded with ghee, dry fruits and, most importantly, has a sweet flavour. The rice used in preparing the pulao is Gobindobhog pulao, subtle, with whole spices and saffron.
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Kosha Mangsho
Bengalis thrive on meat. There will be barely any Bengali who haven’t tried Kosha Mangsho yet. Considered one of the most famous Bengali foods, Kosha Mangsho has this heavenly texture of rich, dark, bhuna and intensely spiced mutton curry. Loaded with various spices and prepared via slow browning until the gravy thickens and releases oil. Kosha Mangsho is perfectly paired with hot, steaming rice.
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Dhokar Danla
Rich, spicy, and deeply comforting, Dhokar Dalna is always a star performer on any Bengali traditional occasion. This plant-based dish is packed with protein & can easily rival the taste of any non-vegetarian item. The lentil cakes are made from chana dal (bengal gram), deep-fried and cooked in ginger-tomato gravy. Dhokar Dalna is a traditional Bengali food that is also offered as bhog during the puja.
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Bhetki Paturi
The word Paturi comes from the Bengali word ‘Paata’ or leaf, reflecting the method of cooking food inside a leaf parcel. Bhetki is a renowned fish across Bengal and one of the premium categories as well. One of the most celebrated dishes prepared from this Barramundi fish is Paturi. The Bheti Paturi is a traditional Bengali delicacy where the fish fillets are marinated in mustard paste, poppy seeds, coconut and green chilies, seasoned with mustard oil and wrapped tightly in banana leaves and steamed or shallow fried.
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Fish Fry
An immensely recognised street food pick, Fish Fry is an emotional quotient in every Bengali’s heart. Unlike the name suggests, Kolkata-style Fish Fry is not just any other fish deep-fried in oil, but is a more sophisticated cuisine consisting of Bhetki fillets marinated with onion paste, ginger-garlic paste and green herbs and coated with breadcrumbs and egg wash and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Fish Fry is a pure starter item in any Bengali ceremonial function or even enjoyed as an evening snack on lazy holidays.
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Murgir Jhol
The lightweight Chicken Curry, or Murgir Jhol, is amongst the comforting Bengali foods that are a must-have during Durga Puja celebrations. Cooked with onions, garlic, ginger and tomatoes, Murgir Jhol is a perfect Sunday lunch treat paired with steaming rice.
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Payesh
No Puja bhog is complete without Payesh, which is Bengali Kheer. Derived from the Sanskrit word Payasha or Kshira, Payesh is believed to be the most pious offering, as bhog made from Gobindobhog rice and jaggery represents purity and prosperity. Be it annanprasan, marriage, or birthday, Payesh plays a significant role. As a quintessential dish, the Durga Puja feast is incomplete without Payesh.
Craving Bengali Foods? Order it from Gintaa!
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Conclusion
Durga Pujo is an unfiltered celebration of community, culture and culinary heritage. And what binds Durga Pujo is Food. The traditional cuisines cherished during the four-day festival are worth a try. Durga Puja captures the essence of every Bengali.
