With a country that boasts of a vast coastal line not only on the west but also on the east, India has many different kinds of seafood dishes to be proud of that change every few hundred metres to produce some of the most unique flavours.
Such that two of them have featured in a prestigious list. Kerala`s Karimeen Pollichathu has featured on TasteAtlas`s most recent rankings of World`s 50 Best Seafood Dishes at number 11. It is a timely reminder to celebrate our regional seafood dishes that are a result of the abundance of fish and more that the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal proudly give us.
Karimeen Pollichathu, meaning Grilled/Pan-fried Fish, is a dish known to originate in the south Indian state of Kerala. While Karimeen is particularly Pearlspot or pomfret fish, the preparation involves wrapping the roasted fish in a banana leaf with coconut milk and masala and roasting it in a pan. Making it a delicious delicacy that features in meals in Kerala on normal days and celebratory occasions too.
While the Karimeen Pollichathu takes the top spot in the first 20, the Chingri Malai Curry, popularly called Malai Chingri, from Kolkata is ranked 30 in the world.
The dish, which means Prawn Malai Curry, is made up of tiger prawns or king prawns with coconut milk and spices. It is usually known to be served during celebrations and weddings too.
According to the report the No 1 seafood dish in the world is Finland`s Loimulohi. It is a preparation where the Salmon fish is nailed to a plank of wood, and cooked over an open fire. The World 50 Best Seafood Dishes closed with the Brazilian dish of Bobo De Camarao. It is a chowder-like dish made from shrimp and coconut milk with herbs, ginger and red palm oil.
Interestingly, even as India`s Meen Pollichathu and Chingri Malai Curry feature in the list, there is many other seafood dishes to explore in the country including the locally available Bombil Fry in Maharashtra, Goan Fish Curry, Mangalorean Prawn Sukka, Malabar Fish Curry, and even the Shorshe Ilish made with the Hilsa fish.
