Adarsh Yuva Sangh, Gaodongrim, Cotigao, in association with the Goa State Biodiversity Board and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Goa, organised a first of its kind ‘Raanbhaji Utsav’ or forest vegetables exhibition at the KTC Bus Stand Complex at Chaudi, Canancona, on September 2, 2023.
This exhibition drew people from different parts of Goa as one could not only see, but also taste, these amazing hyper local delicacies. The platter displayed by the local women contained around 225 items, prepared from 42 types of forest and wild vegetables found mostly in the vicinity of Canacona.
These are hyper local and seasonal vegetables as they are eaten during the monsoon season. Most of these vegetables have medicinal value and are rich in fibre, proteins and vitamins.
ON THE MENU
Along with well-known vegetables such as tender bamboo shoots, aaloo, tero, fagla, hog plum etc, there were local vegetables like teniya bhaji (a green leafy vegetable), chaie bhaji (vegetable made from tubers), ek pana bhaji (green leafy vegetable), gotisherya bhaji (a creeper like vegetable), kayriyo (seeds of Entada scandens, which are boiled and cooked), harfule bhaji (a green leafy vegetable), kodvo bhaji, urpai, merevaili/gundure bhaji (a green leafy vegetable), kaljechi bhaji, chudtechi bhaji, to name a few.
The most common were vegetables made from bamboo shoots, or kille, as they are locally known, and the teniya bhaji.
There were mainly leafy vegetables along with dishes made from seeds, shoots or fruits. These vegetables were served with sanna, wheet (idli steamed in jackfruit leaves), nachni or ragi millet bhakry, rice bhakry, etc.
Along with traditional dishes, there were also innovative dishes, like cake made from teniya leaves or vegetable momos, sannas bhakry served with herpule leaves chutney, cutlets made from vataloo, etc.
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
It was a great opportunity, especially for city dwellers, to learn more about the wealth of these wild vegetables, which in a way, are the staple of people living in the forested areas of the Western Ghats.
The women participants were also eager to share information about these vegetables as well as recipes, and it is vital to know the process of when and how to harvest these leaves, fruits, seeds, etc, and most importantly, the process of preparing them. The knowledge of these indigenous forest dwellers that makes this cuisine interesting and innovative.
Speaker and Canacona MLA, Ramesh Tawadkar, inaugurated the exhibition along with GSBB member secretary, Dr Pradip Sarmokadam; Deputy Director, KVK Shivram Naik Gaonkar; MD Horticulture Corporation, Chandras Dessai; Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Narendra Sawaikar; BJP General Secretary, Damu Naik; CMC Chairperson; Ramakant Naik Gaonkar and other dignitaries.
Members of 39 self-help group, anganwadi teachers and workers, students from 17 high schools and higher secondary schools and colleges participated in the festival.