Popati

Districts / Region

Alibag to Revdanda area of Raigad district in Konkan is well known for Popati. Popati is a seasonal preparation done in winter, especially from December to March.

Ingredients and Short Recipes

Popati is a unique cultural feature of the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It has a simple but time-consuming recipe.
All the ingredients like flat beans (Walpapadi), peas, eggplants, onions, potatoes, along with spices and chicken or eggs are kept in an earthen pot. The remaining space in the pot is filled with medicinal bhamburda leaves, which are velvety and release juices of their own in which the food gets cooked. The pot is then placed in a small pit and covered with clay. Cow Dung and firewood is used for cooking the Popati placing it on the pot. It takes an hour to get this preparation ready. This serves as a campfire for the group.
The vegetarian version of Popati is made with the same recipe except for the addition of non-vegetarian ingredients like Chicken or Eggs. The rest of the process remains the same.
This traditionally allows the community

History

Though There is no documented history known of this recipe, it probably has evolved from the ancient tradition of community kitchens.

Cultural Significance

There are festival occasions after harvest when such recipes are made in Maharashtra. Popati represents such recipes not necessarily associated with religious traditions but closely followed in the social gatherings to strengthen social bonds among kins and kiths. Popati has a Socio-Cultural significance to the region, which is not promoted as a part of cultural tourism by various agro resorts in the region.