Inkblot

  I had this delicious plate of food for lunch today. There’s organic brown rice with Brahmi tambuli, Surinam spinach and potato sambar, some fritters—we call them Chakkuli (which look like starry sticks) and Kodubale (rings)—along with some salt and pickle. When following traditional customs, we always place a little salt on the plate before serving the rest of the food. There’s even a specific spot for the salt on the banana leaf that we follow. (I’ll definitely show y’all this culture and tradition in future posts.) Do you know why we have salt on our plates, even if we don’t always consume it? Here’s what my ajji (grandmother) says: “If you deny salt, whatever you eat will be equivalent to poison.” What?! Seems extreme, right? But there’s a good religious reason behind this, and my ajji puts it simply. Salt is considered a purifying agent. It’s believed to ward off negative energies and bring blessings. Serving it first is seen as a way to sanctify the meal. This tradition defi...

            Good food can do wonders! Without proper food, my brain won’t 'brain' and my mind will start to 'mind'—as in, it will be bothered. Most of us cannot function efficiently without the right stuff going into our tummies. Good food is definitely a good mood for me. Being a foodie, I love eating seasonal, fresh, and healthy foods. My mom cooks the best dishes, and this might be one of the reasons (even though I don't admit it aloud) for my disinterest in stepping out of home. When it's raining cats and dogs in the Western Ghats, my taste buds, in association with my tummy and mind, crave strong flavors. It's not hard to find edible species here in our region. (If you're a non-vegetarian, you might find every creature edible here!) I really enjoy this sometimes. Going into the plantation, on a slippery path, fearing every step and being very careful not to slip; looking out for leeches and checking for any blood if they have sucked me; finally co...