Throughout all the Maharashtrian wedding components, we’ve noticed how simple yet meaningful the tastes tend to be. Maharashtrian cuisine includes some of the healthier Indian food options because of its simplicity. It means less butter, cream, salt, and all those things we love to hate!
Be sure to check out the rest of our Maharastrian Wedding series below:
Maharashtrian Wedding: Introduction
Maharashtrian Engagement/Pre-Wedding Traditions
Maharashtrian Wedding Traditions
Maharashtrian Post-Wedding Traditions
Maharashtrian Food and Desserts
At a Maharashtrian wedding, the menu would tend to be vegetarian – especially if the couple’s families are Brahmin. While some castes of Marathi people do eat meat, wedding receptions tend to be in temples during the afternoon, since many ceremonys begin in the morning. Religious food (aka “vegetarian”) tends to be served as a result.
A sample Maharashtrian menu would include delicacies featuring fresh vegetables or yellow dal – all cooked with just the right amount of spices.
Sample Menu
Appetizers:
Bombay street foods such as batata (potato) vada, onion bhajis, and ragda patties
Main Courses:
Puri
Batata (potato), bhendi (okra), or vangi (eggplant) vegetables with spices
Moong dal (yellow dal)
Varan (toor dal)
Paneer burji (scrambled paneer cheese with spices)
Masala or jeera (cumin) rice
Desserts:
Shrikhand
Gulab Jamun
Puran Poli
Jalebi
Maharashtrian food may be simple, but it doesn’t compromise on taste. Common savory dishes include fresh vegetables mixed with spices such as cumin and chili powder. These can be made dry or with gravy. Puris are fried rotis that are a treat in Maharashtrian households – especially around Ganpati.
Photo courtesy of chefinyou.com.
Masala rice and jeera rice are popular twists on plain white rice – they come pre-seasoned. Varan is a Maharashtrian speciality – a simple take on toor dal which skips the oil and fried garlic and chilis and has a thick consistency.
Puran poli is a sweet favorite amongst Maharashtrians. The jaggery-filled chapati can be eaten on its own with ghee or even dipped in kudi or other gravies. Shrikhand is another popular dessert. It is a strained yogurt flavored with spices such a cardamom, but it can be made extra-yummy by serving it with fresh fruit, such as mango.
Gajar halwa is another popular dessert, made with sweetened carrots and ghee. It is commonly served at Maharashtrian weddings when in season.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com.
Photo courtesy of chefinyou.com.
Maharashtrian receptions are often held inside the wedding venue itself, so the seating varies but is often buffet-style. This layout allows for more food options to be served to guests, and also creates a more intimate atmosphere where the bride and groom can personally visit and talk to each of their guests.