Deepakshi Vaid
Being bluffed by the Shivalik range and known as the land of the Duggars, did you know Jammu has its indigenous food items which are hard to find elsewhere? These food items not only make a perfect Indian delicacy but have numerous health benefits which is why you should include them in your diet.
Born and bought up in Jammu, I had to drift to different metro cities to attain my education, and guess what I missed the most? It was our traditional Jammu delicacy which has its special preparation, warmth, and nutritional benefits.
Well, let us peep into some of the food items which I bet are your favorite too.
Rajma/ Kidney Bean: Have you ever tasted Peerah k Rajma served with a dollop of anardana chutney in Ramban? They have a different and significant taste owing to water, herbs, spices, and the size of the rajma in that valley. Kidney beans are not all appetizing in taste but are a good source of protein, have resistant starch, and are a good source of Vitamin B. Make sure you do not add extra ghee as tempering while relishing it on a daily basis.
Kasrod (Fiddlehead Fern): My childhood memory associated with kasrod is finding them at every nook and corner of Patnitop Hills. Apart from that you can find them growing wild in the Shivalik mountain slopes overlooking the plains fed by Chenab, Ravi, Tawi, and Ujh. Being low in calories, these fiddlehead ferns protect you from heart diseases and help in preventing diabetes. Loaded with chlorophyll, they are a great source of Vitamin A which help in maintaining eye health, skin health, etc. Avoid eating them as pickles if you are hypertensive and are consuming medications for the same.
Timbru Chutney: Every time my aunt visited us from Poonch, she used to get us the medicinal timru which we used as an accompaniment with our main dishes. When I was a child and medical dispensaries were limited, timru was used as an aromatic tonic for fever, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia. Even the Unani and Ayurvedic-based companies have realized the importance of this powerful herb and unfortunately, we are failing to include it in its natural form. The best way to include is in the form of chutney during summer to keep acid reflux, and indigestion at bay.
Kaladi Kulcha: Ever visited the Udhampur district of Jammu and not had the famous Kaladi Kulcha. I bet this food item cannot be skipped. Available nowhere in the world, Kaladi Kulcha is exceptionally the magnificent food of Jammu and a great alternative to processed cheese available in the market which is usually loaded with sodium, preservatives, and emulsifiers. Since it is a dense cheese served with flatbreads made of maida, it is important to be cautious about the intake and to be included only once in 15 days.
Kimb: Passing by through the old city of Jammu, this citrus fruit served with tangy herbs and spices is something everyone relishes during a sunny winter afternoon. Certain people do like the smoky taste and which is usually achieved with the help of coal called Tuni kimb. Winters are known for making people prone to cough, cold, and infections and this Vitamin C-rich fruit acts as an elixir in boosting immunity to prevent diseases, aid iron absorption, and promote healthy skin. It also prevents dehydration since most people give up on their water intake during winter.
Let us all pledge to keep our Duggar foods alive since they are the season’s best produce and exactly what the body needs during that time.
(The author is M.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics)
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