Khandeshi cuisine unleashed -I.. at Khandeshi Darbar, Sangavi, Pune

North western part of Maharashtra is often referred to as Khandesh. It consists of Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule and few other districts of Maharashtra. Nashik is very popular as the Misal city of Maharashtra, although the local cuisine here is equally famous all over Maharashtra. Especially for being extraordinarily spicy. This cuisine perhaps has an array of spiciest Indian food items to offer on the platter. The preparations are very rustic and earthly in nature. Fortunately one can have an authentic treat of Khandeshi cuisine in Pune  as well.

The reason is quite interesting. In past two decades, hundreds of thousands of people from this region have migrated to Pune for employment, better opportunities etc. So do from many other parts such as Vidarbha, Marathwda, Western Maharashtra. Many of them tend to settle down in the vicinity of the highway that connects to the region. So you can expect authentic cuisine respective to the region in those settlements. Therefore there are quite a few Khadeshi restaurants in Sangavi, Nashik Phata and around.

One of them is Khandeshi Darbar. As seen in the picture below, menu clearly differentiates between Khandeshi specialties and the routine food. So keep left when you are walking through the menu. For vegetarians,  Shev Bhaji is a must try. A flag bearer dish of Khandeshi Cuisine. It perhaps deserves a spot in the list of spiciest Indian food items. A quick win with gram flour sticks (Sev) submerged in fiercely hot gravy. This can be made in two ways. First version, where the gravy is cooked and Sev is topped while serving so the crispy and crunchy texture Sev remains intact. The second one with thick sticks made of Gram flour are used instead of  ready made Sev. As it is cooked along with gravy, texture is much softer and different in taste. They serve the second version. The flavour is extremely rustic, Thanks to Kala Masala which is married to Khandeshi food. Side dish of course is Thecha. Not that spicy like everywhere else, so anyone can take a chance. Gulp it down with their amazing Bhakri, round thick bread made of Bajra. Its very soft, served hot and you will feel the warmth of it.

And the whole combo doesn’t cost much so as said earlier you can keep left on Menu card and order your heart out…(without looking at right-side price column)