MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Cradled away in Hud Kiferal Gighar, Azad Kashmir, the region boasts a culinary heritage of uniqueness and diversity.
The traditional cuisine of the Azad Kashmir region is a true reflection of its eclectic history, having been shaped by influences from Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
Traditional cuisine ranging from the spicy flavors of Gushtaba to the sweet fragrance of Kashmiri tea–the traditional food of Azad Kashmir is sure to delight one’s eyes.
Gushtaba-The King of Kashmiri Dishes
One must try Gushtaba-the traditional Kashmiri dish-when in Azad Kashmir. The delicacy is prepared by mixing tender pieces of lamb with a rich alternative spicy sauce with cardamom and cinnamon.
Usually served with boiling hot rice, it is considered to be a basic cuisine one comes across in Kashmir. Dating back to Mughal times when the dish was prepared for centuries, it was served to the kings as a royal delicacy.
Nowadays, Gushtaba is one of the famous dishes omnipresent in Azad Kashmir, specifically at all special functions or festivals.
Rista: A Traditional Kashmiri Delicacy
Rista is another flavorful and nutritive traditional Kashmiri dish. The dish entails lamb’s liver cooked in a spicy sauce with onions, garlic, and ginger.
The liver pieces are generally cooked in cumin, coriander, and turmeric spices, which add an amazing flavor and aroma to the dish. Rista is served with either rice or roti and is, indeed, one of the more famous dishes known and served in the entirety of Azad Kashmir.
Pink Tea (Kashmiri Chai)
Kashmiri tea is comfortingly considered one of the traditional teas that are rooted deep within the culinary context of Azad Kashmir.
The soothing brew of Kashmiri tea is an elegant mix of cardamom and cinnamon steeped with green tea leaves. Kashmiri tea fits well with gatherings, serving as an event for the people to come together and share stories.
There is also the notion that the brew has medicinal qualities, whereby tea lovers partake of it to get some relief from undue stress.
A spiced delight-Regale your taste buds with Dum Aloo
Dum Aloo creates delicacy that is spicy as well, and a pleasant treat in unison from every nook and corner, the universe is enamored with its hybrid presentation.
The dish is predominantly popular for boiled potatoes, garnished with spicy sauce, and the conventional inclusion of commodities that boil to onions, and garlic to ginger.
These potatoes are generally sprinkled with cream-scented spices, giving them a distinctive flavor and scent. Dum Aloo can also accompany rice or roti.
Traditional Sweets: A Sweet Treat
Azad Kashmir is known for its other traditional sweets, which are written down in the history of palatable offerings by tradition. These traditional sweets include Kashmiri kulfi, barfi, and gulab jamun, made up of locally gathered fresh milk, sugar, and nuts that carry a distinctive taste and aroma.
These traditional sweets have their share of fascination during occasions and festivals, and they remain one of the most entertaining aspects throughout Azad Kashmir.
