Carnival at Mapusa Market

Christmas at Mapusa market

Christmas at the Mapusa market

Konkani natak at the Mapusa market Diwali celebration

Preparation for the Konkani Natak

Diwali at the Mapusa Market

Diwali Celebrations

The market gets a coat of paint

The festival of lights, got the market a paint job.

The beauty of the market at Ganesh

The Mapusa market well adorned for the Ganesh festival

Ganesh is the most popular festival in Goa, bigger than Diwali.

Goa is typically shut for a whole week.

Special competitions and prizes specially for this festival.

The vegetarian/vegan Goan breakfast

Feeling like Goa is closed for breakfast, you couldn’t be more wrong, the traditional Goan breakfast called bhaji pao (literally vegetables and bread), gives you the following options:

• alsanda (black eyed beans)
• tomato
• salat (onion tomato curry)
• sukki (dry potato)
• mushroom
• biya (cashew nuts)
• channa masala (chick peas in masala)
• waran (split pigeon peas)

and then you have choices of bread

• pao
• undo/kadak pao (hard bread with a slit in the middle, also the actual name for bread in Konkani)
• katra (also called number eight bread)

So if you get the feeling that you get Subway kind of options here, you wouldn’t be far wrong(and if you want healthy, focus on ).

Oh and a small local tip, you can actually mix the dishes together, like mushroom and cashew together, or just ask for mix bhaji, to get all the bhajis mixed together.

The Mapusa favourite for breakfast, in my opinion, is Walke (who also have a line of dairy products), in the wholesale market.

Foods from the Khazan

Get ready, my fellow food enthusiasts, because we’re about to embark on a gastronomic journey like no other! Today, we’re diving headfirst into the mind-boggling world of Khazan lands and the incredible culinary delights they bring to our plates. So fasten your seatbelts, grab your forks, and get ready to indulge in a wild exploration of the delectable food that emerges from these fertile lands!

When you think of Goa, your taste buds probably start doing a little happy dance. But did you know that the Khazan lands play a crucial role in creating the mouthwatering flavors that make Goan cuisine so legendary? These lands are the birthplace of an extraordinary bounty of ingredients that form the backbone of Goan culinary delights. We’re talking about spices, rice, fish, and oh-so-much more!

First up, let’s talk about the spices. The Khazan lands, with their fertile soil and perfect climate, serve as the ultimate spice factory. From fiery red chilies to aromatic cloves, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, these lands churn out a cornucopia of flavors that set Goan cuisine ablaze. Each spice tells a story, a tale of vibrant colors, intense aromas, and a culinary heritage that spans centuries.

But what’s a Goan meal without rice? And the Khazan lands have got that covered too! Picture this: endless fields of lush green paddy, swaying gently in the breeze. That’s where your humble plate of Goan rice begins its journey. Thanks to the Khazan lands, rice cultivation thrives, ensuring that Goans never go hungry. It’s the backbone of every meal, the blank canvas that soaks up the vibrant flavors and turns them into a symphony of taste.

Now, let’s dive into the waters of the Khazan lands, where the real magic happens. Fish, my friends, fish! The Khazan lands are home to an incredible variety of fish and other seafood that will make your taste buds dance with delight. From succulent prawns to juicy crabs, sizzling clams to tender pomfret, the Khazan lands provide a cornucopia of seafood delights that make Goan cuisine so damn irresistible.

But wait, we’re not done yet! The Khazan lands also bless us with luscious coconuts, fresh as can be. Imagine cracking open a coconut and sipping on its sweet nectar under the shade of a palm tree. It’s pure tropical bliss! Coconuts lend their creamy richness to curries, chutneys, and desserts, adding that unmistakable Goan touch that keeps you coming back for more.

Now, my fellow food adventurers, as you explore the Khazan lands and savor the flavors they offer, let your taste buds go wild. Lose yourself in the fiery spices, the velvety rice, the succulent seafood, and the creamy coconut. Let the flavors transport you to a place where life is one big fiesta, and every bite is a wild, flavorful adventure.

Parashurama reclaimed lands from the sea and gave us food : Khazan

Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology, played a significant role in the creation of the Khazan lands in Goa. According to legend, Parshurama is believed to have reclaimed land from the sea, carving out the fertile coastal regions of Goa, including the Khazan lands.

Parshurama is revered as a great warrior and sage who possessed divine powers. He is said to have used his axe, known as the Parshu, to reclaim land from the ocean and create habitable areas for the indigenous communities. From mythology to the fact that the Khazan lands came into existence, transforming what was once inundated by water into productive agricultural fields.

The Khazan lands, with their intricate network of Bunds, Manos, Poiem, and Tributaries, reflect the wisdom and engineering skills of the ancient engineers. These structures, carefully planned and constructed, bear witness to the resourcefulness and foresight of these engineers in harnessing the power of water and transforming the landscape for the benefit of the local communities.

The connection between Parshurama and the Khazan lands extends beyond the physical transformation of the coastal areas. It also holds cultural and religious significance. Parshurama is revered as the creator and protector of the land, and his presence is deeply intertwined with the mythology and folklore of Goa. The Khazan lands, in turn, serve as a reminder of his divine intervention and continue to be an integral part of the cultural landscape of the region.

Today, as visitors explore the Khazan lands and witness the engineering marvels that converted flood-prone areas into fertile agricultural fields, they can reflect upon the mythical connection to Parshurama. The legacy of the ancient engineers efforts to reclaim land and provide sustenance to the local communities lives on in the Khazan lands, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and the harmonious coexistence of mythology and practical ingenuity in Goa.

In essence, Parshurama’s association with the Khazan lands adds a spiritual and mythical dimension to the already captivating story of these agricultural marvels. It serves as a reminder of the ancient wisdom and cultural significance embedded in the landscapes of Goa, connecting past and present and inspiring us to preserve and appreciate the heritage that the Khazan lands represent.

Goan vegan dishes

When people think of Goan food, they only think of the meat and fish dishes, but the truth is that there a lot of great Goan vegetarian dishes, starting with the morning bhaji pao, which interestingly enough over the generations, has been traditionally free of milk products , like:

1. Xacuti – This is a spicy coconut-based curry that can be made with a variety of vegetables, such as potatoes, mushrooms, and peas. It is typically served with rice or bread.
2. Sorak – This is a simple vegetable curry made with a coconut and spice base. Vegetables like bottle gourd, okra, and pumpkin can be used in this dish.
3. Tonak – This is a spicy curry made with a variety of legumes such as black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and chickpeas. It is usually served with rice or bread.
4. Cafreal – This is a spicy green marinade made with coriander, ginger, garlic, and green chilies. It is typically used to flavor chicken, but it can also be used to marinate vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, or mushrooms.
5. Tendli Bhaji – This is a stir-fry made with Ivy gourd, onions, and spices. It is a simple and tasty side dish that can be served with rice or bread.
6. Brinjal Bhaji – This is a stir-fry made with eggplants, onions, and spices. It is a popular side dish that can be served with rice or bread.
7. Moongachi Gathi – This is a simple curry made with sprouted moong beans, coconut milk, and spices. It is a healthy and nutritious dish that can be served with rice or bread.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious vegetable dishes that are part of the Goan cuisine.

And all these vegetables are available in the Mapusa Market.

Vegetables locally grown around Mapusa

Here are some of the most popular goan vegetables available in the Mapusa Market:

Bhindi (Okra) – Bhindi is a popular vegetable in Goan cuisine and is used in a variety of dishes. It is a great source of dietary fiber and is known for its slimy texture.

Gawar (Cluster beans) – Gawar is a type of legume that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is high in protein and is often used in curries and stir-fries.

Vali (Indian broad beans) – Vali is a type of broad bean that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is rich in protein, iron, and other nutrients and is often used in curries and stir-fries.

Tendli (Ivy gourd) – Tendli is a vegetable that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is low in calories and high in dietary fiber and is often used in stir-fries and curries.

Bimli (Cucumber tree) – Bimli is a type of cucumber that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is high in water content and is often used in salads and pickles.

Karmal (Black-eyed peas) – Karmal is a type of legume that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is high in protein and is often used in curries and soups.

Brinjal (Eggplant) – Brinjal is a vegetable that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is rich in antioxidants and is often used in curries and stir-fries.

Pumpkin – Pumpkin is a vegetable that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is rich in fiber and is often used in curries and soups.

Chibud (Breadfruit) – Chibud is a fruit that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is rich in carbohydrates and is often used in curries and stir-fries.

Kankon (Wild cucumbers) – Kankon is a type of wild cucumber that is commonly used in Goan cuisine. It is rich in water content and is often used in salads and pickles.

These vegetables are used in a variety of traditional Goan dishes such as sorak (vegetable curry), bhaji (vegetable stir-fry), and xacuti (spicy coconut curry). If you’re a foodie, make sure to try these delicious vegetables in the next Goan dish you taste.