Balangir: A unique food festival was organised in Odisha’s Balangir in an attempt to enter the India Book Of Records.
Around 100 types of dishes, including dal, pudding, sweet dish, fry, crab curry, different snack items, chicken fried rice, ‘karadi pitha’, ‘dhania karadi bhaat’ (rice), and prawn dishes, were prepared by using ‘karadi’ (bamboo shoot) as the main ingredient by the State Institute Of Hotel Management (SIHM), Balangir.
‘Karadi’ is a traditional food of western Odisha and also consumed in areas adjacent to dense forests. It is available in the markets during the sprouting season of bamboo especially during monsoon.
District collector Chanchal Rana and Padma Awardee Haldhar Nag also attended the grand food festival.
“I am very surprised to see so many dishes made from this ingredient. People have been eating different cuisines but this spread of ‘karadi’ dishes can even impress the connoisseur. We hope this unique initiative will help create a fan base for this traditional variation,” Collector Chanchal Rana told local media.
“I have earlier tried about 10 dishes made of ‘karadi’. But I am surprised by this sumptuous spread of 10o,” said the Padma Awardee.
Principal of SIHM Dr Suresh Kumar Eknath said it is important for the people of Odisha to be aware of the distinctive tasty culinary of the western districts. “Bamboo shoots form an interesting part of the food traditions of Odisha. Therefore, we decided to prepare a large number of dishes with this popular ingredient instead of limiting it to only a few. A week-long plan went into it and the idea was executed under the ‘vocal for local’ concept,” he added.
