Joanna James
If you are visiting the Maldives, you won't be too worried about the food because you will rightly assume that the resorts will provide you with mostly international or western cuisine. While this may be true for most resort restaurants, what if you wanted to try authentic Maldivian?
The first kind of food you should be trying in the Maldives are Maldivian samosas which are known as Bis Keemiya and made of hardboiled eggs, shredded cabbage and spicy onion curry. The pastry has the consistency of samosa with an almost flaky and a light covering. It is easy to make so you are likely to find it in the inhabited islands. If not, you can always ask one of the Maldives all inclusive resorts you are staying at to cook it up for you, for a treat.
Boshi Mashuni is a salad that is made from the banana flower. The banana flower is cut into strips and blanched but only slightly. It is then tossed together with lime, fresh coconut, turmeric, chillies, cumin and curry leaves. Though simple, it is a dish that will pack quite a flavourful punch. You can eat it with rice or with a naan type doughy treat. It is refreshing and delicious, especially on a summery hot day.
This is a dish you can expect to find in most resorts in the Maldives the likes of VARU by Atmosphere. Garudhiya is a fragrant and clear fish soup similar to a dashi or miso soup base. The difference is the addition of citrus which gives it a delightful tang. Tuna is the most important component that makes this dish and as such is a very yummy and clean flavour. It is also well seasoned with chillis, garlic, onions and curry leaves hence the fragrance.
Maldivians have their unleavened loaves of bread. Their form of the chapati is called Huni Roshi. It is similar to the Sri Lankan version which is called Pol Roti and features a lot of coconuts. These flatbread types are often used to mop up curries and can be great in this thanks to its texture. The coconut adds an almost creamy flavour to the Huni Roshi which is what makes it a popular carbohydrate source in all three meals. You should try some with a typical Maldivian fish curry.
In the Maldives, you will find yourself reintroduced to sago. It is taken from the cores of tropical palm stems and are starchy spheres that have to be cooked before they can be consumed. The Maldivian dish Saagu Bondibai is a pudding made from sago that is a staple in the local diet. It is flavoured with lots of coconut milk, rose extract and cardamom. Sometimes, it is further sweetened using condensed milk. It is said to be a good dish to cool the inside of the body. If you don't mind the slimy texture, make sure you try this delicious dish.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
