Discovering Parsee Culinary Culture
- Gargee Shirodkar
- Mar 19, 2023
- 3 min read
It will be soon Nowruz on 21st March, where everything would come to life on this day for Parsees as it marks the beginning of their traditional New Year depending on Shahenshahi calendar. Gift exchanges, reciting poetry, family gatherings and most importantly the delicious cuisine form among the celebrations and traditional customs of Nowruz. However, the customs and traditions varies between the diverse cultures and countries.
Tracing to the origins, Parsees primarily belong to a community following Zoroastrianism, a religion native to Iran and had migrated to Sanjan town of Gujarat to seek refuge around 7-9th century. When colonial powers became well established in Mumbai, they provided new job vacancies which were grabbed by Parsees. Soon, the community built a rapport with the British also allowing them to influence their cuisine.
Parsees are fond of food and their richly flavored cuisine is proof of the same. Their food has evolved into a unique regional cuisine resulting from an amalgamation of Persian, Indian, and British influences over the time.
Usually, Iranian cuisine is considered to be the same as Parsees, but their cuisine has more Turkish, Kurdish, and Azerbaijani influences that can be seen in the choice of their different ingredients. Today, most of the Parsee dishes will have an egg as a topping, including the vegetable dishes. Fish was added to their palate after settling on the coast. Later, it also involved influences from European-style cuisine and desserts. Additionally, the use of Banana leaves in their fish preparation shows the skillful adoption of local ingredients and making it their own.
Some their signature dishes include Akuri, Patra ni machii, Salli boti that has luscious mutton gravy with fried potato shreds, Poro i.e parsee style omlette, Kheema ghotaala and many more. If you want to go snacking, they are many options like Bun maska pav, chicken cutlets, chicken patties, mutton or chicken samosas etc. In humid weather of Mumbai, if you want to drink some cool and refreshing the traditional Pallonji Rasberry or Ice cream flavored sodas come to your rescue!
Patra ni machii, Photo credits: Jyothi Rajesh
Mutton Kheema ghotala pav, Cafe Military
Chicken pattice, Mutton pattice and Caramel custard, Kayani & Co.
Don't miss their desserts like caramel custard and vasanu, which you can buy at Parsi Amelioration Committee stall called Motafram in Grant road. In South Mumbai, you can try all these culinary delights at Jimmy Boy, Cafe Military, Sassanian Boulangerie, B. Merwan & Co., Kayani & Co. and Britannia. Moreover, I would recommend to visit these restaurants and shops on Nowruz as they have special New year menus to offer!!
Travel to Ness Baug in Grant road for an ultimate Parsee culinary experience along with market visit, cooking experience including meal along with Parsee Chef Mahrukh Mogrelia. For more details visit this site:
Additional travel tip: If you want to explore something beyond culinary culture, do check out Felinaz Collections for traditional Gara sarees, kurtis, dupattas, jhablas and Jai Khodiyar Metal Works for Parsee influenced German steel decor items, Zarthosh carpet etc.
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