Uncover Saputara's Street Food Scene: 10 Must Try Delicacies

Saputara, located in the arms of the Western Ghats, stands as Gujarat's only hill station. It offers a much-needed, lush escape from the typical hot weather of the region. Highly praised for its breathtaking landscapes and rich local culture, this serene place is also an under-the-radar paradise for food lovers. Saputara's street food offers a unique fusion of authentic Gujarati flavours, elevated by tribal culinary traditions.

Saputara, located in the Western Ghats, is the only hill station in Gujarat. It's a cool and green escape from the typically hot weather of the area. Besides being known for its beauty and aboriginal culture, this peaceful destination is also a hidden paradise for foodies. The street food scene of Saputara is an interesting mix of traditional Gujarati flavors with some tribal influence thrown in. Here are ten must-try street foods that will make your culinary journey through Saputara unforgettable.

1.Bhajiya

Bhajiya or fritters are one of those quintessential street foods which you cannot afford to miss in Saputara. They are made from various vegetables such as potato, onion and chili dipped into gram flour batter and deep fried to brown golden perfection. They are served hot with tangy tamarind chutney making bhajias an ideal snack particularly during monsoons.

2.Ponk Vadas

Pink vedas are specific to Surat region but can be found in Saputara too; they are made out of tender green sorghum (ponk). This type of vada looks soft and spongy inside but crispy outside when bitten into it.Along with spicy chutneys it gives a unique flavor which is rustic yet refreshing.

3.Vada Pav

Vada pav, F.K.A Indian burger ,is western India's popular roadside staple. A spiced potato patty sits between a soft bun (pav) smeared with all sorts of chutneys and topped up with deep fried chillies.This filling snack is famous among the locals as well as tourists because it has the perfect combination of hot sour sweet tastes.

4.Dabeli

Dabeli may have started from the Kutch region but it is now found on the streets of Saputara. This street food dish has spicy mashed potato filling mixed with specially prepared dabeli masala and is stuffed inside a bun. Dabeli offers an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite with garnishings like pomegranate seeds, sev (crispy noodles) and chutneys.

5.Handvo

Handvo is a savory Gujarati cake which is made from a mixture of lentils and rice fermented batter. In Saputara this cake is usually cooked over tawa (griddle) to create crispy crust on it. Green chutney, added for taste, makes this dish healthy as well as fulfilling that can be accompanied by hot tea.

6.Sev Usal

Sev usal is a famous street food featuring spicy curry made using dried peas sprinkled with crisp sev at the top. It has pav along with garnishing of onions,tomatoes,coriander leaves.Seasoning this particular snack gives an amazing feel of mild paste yet crunchy material.

7.Surati Locho

Though locho belongs to Surat, it has become an inseparable part of street food culture in Saputara. Made from fermented batter consisting of gram flour & rice, this dish after steaming gets tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves & green chillies. A lot of times it also comes topped up with sev,onions and chaat masala.Locho tastes different than anything else you would ever try.

8.Makai Chivda

Makai chivda contains cornflakes, peanuts and some other spices resulting into light crispy snack.A good option for grabbing on the way somewhere which will provide both salty; sweet or hot flavor combination.Vendors also squeeze lemon juice over it and sprinkle fresh cilantro to make its flavor more appealing.

9. Ghughra:

Known as Gujiya in the north of India, ghughra is a sweet or savory dumpling. In Saputara, the spicy variant is more popular, and it is filled with a hot mixture of peas, coconut and dry fruits. For those who like rich snacks that are full of taste, these fried goodies are not to be missed.

10. Kachori:

This is a deep-fried pastry piece filled with spiced lentils or peas. In Saputara you can find vendors selling kachoris made with different types of stuffing that provide unique tastes for each one of them. These are best enjoyed together with tangy tamarind chutney and spicy green chutney; which has made it a favorite among the residents.

Conclusion:

Shopping for street food at Saputara does not only give travelers an opportunity to have new food experiences but also familiarizes them with Gujarati culture's richness and diversity. Tracing the history behind these irresistible street foods will reveal a lot concerning their culture heritage' s culinary touchstones based on local ingredients' traditions, and community emphasis on bold flavors. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or an inquisitive tourist, you cannot easily forget about the street foods in Saputara; they become engraved into your taste buds and heart forever through your mouth. So next time you drop by this beautiful hill station allow your mouth feel/taste bud feel' to guide you on your culinary journey across Asia right here in Gujarat.