Ever hear the term “sitting Indian style” (i.e. cross-legged on the floor)? Well, here in India, you do that a LOT, particularly for meal-time. After the day with the teachers, we evacuated to where the English Team is staying (a small village about 15 minutes from the school) and sat down to share a meal with the hosts. Now, in India, there are no “paper plates”… at least not the way we have them in the States. Rather, in India, disposable flatware is really just a cleaned off palm leaf. And… since you don’t use silverware (you eat with your hands in Southern India… no silverware), there is no need for plastic utensils either. Honestly, if we had palm trees in South Bend, I’d be sorely tempted not to adopt the same practice as it’s eco-friendly, cheap and effective.
Shown here is a traditional South Indian meal, complete with steamed rice, sambar (a sort of saucy soup that can have a variety of ingredients), a warm rice “chutney” (I didn’t catch the name) and a crispy wafer (also forgot the name…sorry… but think “Munchos” potato chips, and you’ll have a pretty good idea).
As mentioned, you eat with your fingers, and the best method of approach is to sort of scoop all the ingredients to the center of the leaf, and then just dig in. Indians often get a laugh out of watching us try to eat with our fingers, and I’ve seen our friends call the improvised techniques we often employ range from “elephant” to “steam shovel”. All are probably accurate, and you absolutely can’t help but get your fingers absolutely messy in the process. If you want to try and experiment with the consistency, try this. Make 1 quart of Minute Rice. Dump a can of Campbell’s Sirloin Burger soup on top of it. Eat it with your fingers. It’s not as easy as you might think… particularly sitting cross legged on the floor.
Shown here is a traditional South Indian meal, complete with steamed rice, sambar (a sort of saucy soup that can have a variety of ingredients), a warm rice “chutney” (I didn’t catch the name) and a crispy wafer (also forgot the name…sorry… but think “Munchos” potato chips, and you’ll have a pretty good idea).
As mentioned, you eat with your fingers, and the best method of approach is to sort of scoop all the ingredients to the center of the leaf, and then just dig in. Indians often get a laugh out of watching us try to eat with our fingers, and I’ve seen our friends call the improvised techniques we often employ range from “elephant” to “steam shovel”. All are probably accurate, and you absolutely can’t help but get your fingers absolutely messy in the process. If you want to try and experiment with the consistency, try this. Make 1 quart of Minute Rice. Dump a can of Campbell’s Sirloin Burger soup on top of it. Eat it with your fingers. It’s not as easy as you might think… particularly sitting cross legged on the floor.
1 comment:
I think there is a verse in a Bible about don't care about what your are going to eat, sounds like you have taken that to heart.
looks like a banana leaf plate.
Anna loves the crispy apalam chips too.
You guys are doing good.
Post a Comment