Discover the surprising stories behind your favorite Indian flavors, from naan to jalebi
We all love our Indian foods and also take pride in them, but did
you know the food that you like may have a foreign origin? Certain food items in our diverse cuisines come from beyond our borders. So let me take you on a short trip and open your eyes to these dishes in our very own Indian cuisine.
North Indian Cuisine
When you hear the words North Indian cuisine, the food items that will pop into your head are Naan, Samosa, and Jalebi. But did you know all these food items have a foreign origin?
Naan
As surprising as it might seem, our beloved Naan originally came from Persia and Iran and was brought to India by the Mughals. Back in the days when the Mughals invaded India, they brought many things with them, and food culture was one of them, which slowly mixed with the local tastes.
Samosa
Yes, the Samosa, the all-time favorite tea-time snack, was brought to the Indian subcontinent after the invasion of the Central Asian Turkic dynasties. The mention of this food item can be found in a 9th-century Persian poem by Ishaq al-Mawsili and also in Arabian recipe books from the 10th century. The item has undergone different changes as it moved to different regions in the Indian subcontinent but the concept remained the same.
Jalebi
At this point, you might be thinking, OMG! Now the Jalebi. Did you know the very word Jalebi is derived from the Arabic word zulabiya? Then, how can it be of Indian origin? It is believed that the item originated in Turkey and then moved to Tunisia before making its way to India. This sweet dish is not only popular in India, but it is loved in Bangladesh and Nepal too.
South Indian Cuisine
If North India has food of foreign origin, then why not South India? Yes, two of the famous food items in South Indian cuisine, Idli and Parotta, have traveled their way to India.
Idli
The very famous and popular South Indian breakfast, Idli, was brought to India by the Indonesians when they introduced Kedli to make the Indians understand what steaming vessels were. This dish was then further modified to form Idli, which is very rich in carbohydrates and proteins and will surely make you start the day healthy.
Parotta
This layered flatbread came to God’s own country, Kerala, in the hands of migrant workers from Sri Lanka. It has been the most common food in Jaffna, and later on, it became the beloved food item in Kerala, all thanks to the street hawkers from the 90s.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone, order these foods, and have a feast. Bon Appetite.
