Malvani cuisine is the standard cuisine of the SouthKonkan region of Maharashtra and Goa. Although Malvani cuisine is predominantly non-vegetarian, there are many vegetarian dishes. Although it is an independent cuisine, it overlaps Maharashtrian cuisine and Goan cuisine. Malvan is a town in the Sindhudurg district on the west coast of Maharashtra. Malvani cuisine uses coconut liberally in various forms such as grated, dry-grated, fried, coconut paste and coconut milk. Many masalas have dried red chilies and other spices like coriander seeds, peppercorns, cumin, cardamom, ginger and garlic. Some dishes also use kokum, dried kokam, tamarind, and raw mango. The Malvani masala, a form of dried powder masala, is a combination of 15 to 16 dry spices. This masala is coarsely ground and stored in jars to be utilized when required. However, not all of the cuisine is hot and spicy; the Konkanastha Brahmin style of food is an example of less spicy food. Fish dishes dominate Malvani cuisine. Solkadhi is a pink-colored drink made from the kokam fruit and coconut milk.
Dishes
Main course
Kombdi vade, or chicken Malvani, consists of the traditional Malvani chicken curry, vade, onion, lemon, and solkadhi.
Mori masala or shark curry is popular along the Konkan coast.
Solkadhi is an appetizer made from coconut milk and kokam. It is usually served with kombdi vade, fish, and mutton Malvani.
Bangda fry is a popular dish, especially in Mumbai. The head of the bangda fish is removed and discarded and the other part is fried as a whole.
Malvani mutton curry is a popular dish throughout the Konkan region. It is similar to Chicken Malvani except that the spices are slightly different.
Kavda curry is made from a local Konkani bird, the khavda.
Bombil fry or Bombay duck fry is a popular dish, especially in north Konkan regions such as Mumbai and Raigad.
Phanasachi bhaji is a vegetarian dish, made from raw jackfruit, chilies and grated coconut.
Kaju chi or fakachi usal is a spicy curry of cajus.
Prawn curry
Kolambi fry is a common dish of prawns marinated in spices and rolled in a mixture of rice flour and semolina before frying.
Kalya vatanyancha samara is a black pea curry made using coconut and Malvani masala.
Breads and cakes
Dhondas or cucumber Cake is a baked preparation made from big ripe cucumber, coarse rice flour, grated coconut and jaggery.
Ghaavane is a pancake made with rice flour and is popular in the Sindhudurg district.
Khaproli is a sweet dish popular in southern Konkan. The dish consists of a fluffy pancake dipped in yellow sweet coconut milk.
Tandalachi bhakri is a bhakri made of rice flour. It is the Malvani equivalent of the Maharashtrian jowari bhakri or bajri bhakri which is popular throughout the Deccan.
Ambolya is a type of bread made from fermented batter of rice and udad daal, served with coconut chutney or usal or sweetened Coconut milk.
Shirvale is a type of Noodles made with rice flour served with sweetened Coconut milk.
Ras-poli is a sweet deep-fried preparation, highly popular in Maharashtra. The dish consists of a fried pancake served with sweetened coconut milk.
