Cuisine (Food & Drinks)

Kashmiris are very passionate about food. The cuisines of Kashmir were greatly influenced by the cultures which arrived with the invasion of Kashmir from central Asia, Persia and Afghanistan. This sphere of influence reshaped the art, custom, rituals, belief and mainly the food-culture of Kashmir from time to time. Rice is the staple food of Kashmiris. Meat, along with rice, is the most popular food item in Kashmir.

Kashmiris consume meat voraciously. The ultimate formal banquet (aka Wazwan) is a royal cuisine comprising of approximately thirty-six dishes of mutton cooked overnight under the supervision of a master-chef called "wouste waze". Wazwan is usually cooked and served to guests on special occasions and family gatherings such as marriage parties etc. At these feasts, the guests are seated in groups of four, sharing their meal from a single large metal plate called Tramie (or traem).

Another must try age-old lamb preparation welcomed during winters is the Kashmiri Harissa - a rich, indulgent traditional mutton dish of Kashmir flavoured with spices, aromatics, rice and crispy fried onions. Harissa is served hot with flat bread or naan, with tempered onion rings and optional kebabs. Traditionally, the harissa is cooked the night before and eaten for breakfast the next morning.

The tongue pleasing Kashmiri barbecue, better known as Tujj'e rules the hearts of all foodies in Kashmir. Tujj'e are small cubes of mutton held through iron/steel rods (aka Seekh) over an iron grill and roasted over red heated ember. Once ready, it's served along with varieties of chutnee & pickles and special Kashmiri bread called Lawasa. Be it harsh wintry cold or hot scorching summer, the mouth-watering tujj'e find a fan-base during all seasons of the year. #tujje

The Kashmir Valley is noted for its bakery tradition. Bakers sell various kinds of breads with golden brown crusts topped with sesame and poppy seeds. Tsot and tsochvor are small round breads topped with poppy and sesame seeds. Kashmiri bakerkhani has a special place in Kashmiri cuisine. It is similar to a round naan in appearance, but crisp and layered, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It is typically consumed hot during breakfast.

Tea is drunk in copious amounts. Nun Chai (salty tea) and Kehwa (saffron tea with almonds) are particularly popular. Kashmir is also famous for saffron, apple and dry fruits like walnuts, almonds etc.

#wazwan #harissa #barbecue #tujje #nunchai #saffron #almonds #kehwa

Tourism

Popularly known as "Paradise on Earth" and situated in the heart of Himalayas, Kashmir is blessed with its rich flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, snow clad mountains, high altitude lakes, cultural richness and world famous pilgrimage destinations etc. The valley is a part of the state of J&K, which comprises of three distinct regions viz. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

In Kashmir, one can never run out of scenic views and beautiful locations to explore. The Himalayas are famous for their natural beauty and gentleness. The most stunning mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, rivers, woods, green wilderness, and high pine trees are all around Kashmir. Sports like skiing, golfing, trekking, river rafting, paragliding and camping are all about the journey to this beautiful valley of Kashmir. Some of the state’s notable attractions are Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Mughal Gardens, Cheshmashahi, Dachigam National Park, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Yusmarg, Badamwari etc. In their memories, one will always remember the incomparable beauty and attractiveness of the state and the amicability of its people.

#dallake #boulevard #tulips #cheshmashahi #shalimar #mughalgardens #dachigam #pahalgam #gulmarg #sonamarg #yusmarg #srinagar #kashmir