Ethnic food culture of Chhattisgarh state of India

Abstract

AbstractChhattisgarh state is situated in the central part of India and is also known as the ‘Bowl of rice’. Paddy is the principal crop of this state, and rice is the staple diet of the people. The state largely maintains its ethnic food culture as most of its population continues to live within rural and tribal areas. The state has nearly 44% of forest cover which serves as a decent source of food. People here prefer a vegetarian diet, and over 70 varieties of leaves, 25 varieties of tubers and roots are used here as vegetables. The present article is an attempt to explore the ethnic food culture of Chhattisgarh and to provide information about rice and non-rice-based traditional recipes, sweet dishes, leafy vegetables, tubers and roots which are consumed here. Irrespective of all the modern changes in food habits, the people of Chhattisgarh still preserve their traditional food culture.