Dec 22, 2020
BY: Timesofindia
Everyone’s favourite
Made with mashed potatoes and several other vegetables, this lip-smacking dish is served with crispy toasted pav and a dollop of butter on the bhaji.
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Portugese roots
The roots of Pav Bhaji can be traced back to Portugese, where the dish is said to be originally made. The Portugese used to make bhaji by combining several different vegetables together.
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The story of Pav
In Portugese, bread is known as ‘pão’, which is also called pav or pao in India. Many people say that ‘pav’ was named so, because it was 1/4th part of the bread.
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A gift from the Britishers
Pav bhaji came to India, when the Portuguese gifted Bombay (now Mumbai) to the British in dowry when Princess Catherine D Bragenza was married to British Prince Charles II.
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Popularity
This is how the delicious Pav Bhaji became the speciality of Mumbai and is till date known for its taste.
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Civil War connection
Pav bhaji is also linked to American Civil War which happened from 1861-1865. During that time the British had a dearth of cotton supply because of the ongoing war in America.
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Food for workers
They ordered the cotton mills in Mumbai to prepare cotton in bulk. To fulfill such huge orders, the workers had to work day and night. In order to keep the workers fed, small stalls were set outside such mills.
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Meal from leftover veggies
These stalls made bhaji from all the leftover vegetables from the day and used to serve it with buns. The meal was not only nutritious but was also available round the clock.
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Famous all over India
From being connected to the Civil War and having Portugese roots to being the most famous street food of Mumbai, this finger-licking recipe of Pav Bhaji has come a long way.
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Thanks For Reading!
Next: How to make Gajar Ka Halwa at home
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