The Old City and its Love for Food!

There is something really special about the old city. It charms you in ways you would have never imagined. Born and brought up in these lanes, it is altogether a different feeling. The way one is raised here, makes sure you turn out to be one tough cookie. Once grown up, it serves as a foundation to humbleness and helps you to stay grounded, no matter where you live and what you become.

Along with the values, you carry the memories of the old city food joints. And if you live near one such place, then you are woken to heaven-laden aroma of the fresh deep fried snacks, thus leaving you craving for them. It is just not you! Your parents, siblings, elderly people in your house, everybody would have their favourite spot to gorge into in the streets. And every street food shop owner knows you and your family and what would you prefer to eat. The samosas, jalebis, kachoris, dal pakwan, poha, khaman and the aloo puri wala owners know you very well and the pani puri wala guy keeps a tab and you get to pay him on monthly basis, thanks to your everyday binge at his stall.

There is this one particular place famous for its Gathiya (Deep fried Indian snacks made from chickpea flour, a popular teatime snack in Gujarat. They are soft and not crunchy like most other Indian snacks.) My great grandfather used to come here to eat. Then came my grandfather and his brothers. Their kids accompanied them too to this place. My father too visited this place and I did accompany him all the time. I am practically the fourth generation from my family to be visiting this place religiously every Sunday morning.

The Gathiya are crunchy yet soft on the inside which goes amazingly with their papaya chutney and chili. And my father says, the taste has not changed a bit. Maybe I like them more because I get to share it with my father who would have had shared with his father too. I believe every food you love so dearly becomes your favorite because you have beautiful memories attached to them. I have a whole legacy attached to cherish for my whole life.

I look forward to spending festivals with my family in the old city than anybody. There is so much of good spirit, enthusiasm and energy flowing through the house, the vibes are just infectious!

There is non-stop chatter, preparations going on, everybody running around with some task, laughter ringing out loud and specially the amazing dishes and snacks being made in the kitchen, fills the house with its drool-worthy smell. The men, kids in the house peeping in the kitchen, eating up all that is cooked in the name of ‘tasting’ and pushing them out of the kitchen is fun in itself. Imagine 3 generations, under a roof, with all of above, in a happy world of their own in the old city - what more can you ask for ?

It is very interesting to see how we still recall and remember the food we have shared and cherished with our family in our childhood more than we have ever done with anybody else. The old city teaches us bonding over food in its true sense. Maybe it is not too late to go back to your roots and relive those memories again!