I have had Idli as Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and like most students in Mumbai as Midnight Meal by Cycle wali Idli with Chai n Sutta. While most of my Padhe-Likhe Lungi friends ( Yup they are freakin first bench nerds) would know about it but others like me might find this article insightful ( I m pretty sure this word is out of context here).
I have never seen more controversy on the origins of a dish than Idli. There are theories as to whether it was first made in Gujarat, Karnataka or Indonesia. Generally, I am not the one to shy away from taking sides and I don’t intend to make this an exception and Thus, will go with Indonesian version of the story ( and that’s not just to piss of my lungi friends).
Indonesia Ki Idli !
Can you Imagine, Idli the dish that is synonymous with South India is actually an import. The use of rice grits along with Urad Dal, the long fermentation of the mix, and the steaming of the batter to fluffiness. Only after 1250 AD are there references to what seem to be Idlis as we know them.
The contention is that this absence from the historical record could mean that Idlis are an imported concept — perhaps from Indonesia which has a long tradition of fermented products, like tempeh (fermented soy cakes), kecap (from where we get ketchup) or something called kedli, which is like an idli. This is plausible enough given the many links between Southeast Asia and South India, through rulers and traders. There were no steaming vessels in South India in seventh century. But steaming vessels are not required for steaming dishes , steam can be produced using cloth over the vessel, still this method is used in South India.
Idonesia?
Before you go berserk, I’ll tell you why Indonesia? Hindu kings from Indonesia, a country where fermenting is quite common, often came to India between the 8th and the 12th centuries, looking for brides. The cooks with them brought the technique that can cape of this breakfast delight. Indonesia has a long tradition of fermented products, like tempeh (fermented soy cakes), kecap (froged the landsm where we get ketchup) or something called kedli, which is almost like an idli. Hence Proved Idli is from Indonesia! ( ok not really , but you get the point right? ). I mean its shocking even after watching copied movies n listening to copied songs for years. Not even my snow white idli is our own creation. What The Hell! I could almost feel a ching chong snatching Idli from my mouth!
Foodie ka Funda No.4:
Never Say No to Maa ke Haath ka Khaana aur Md. Rafi ka Gaana !
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