Culture of Goan Catholics - Cuisine

Cuisine

Their curries use a lot of coconut, coconut oil and curry leaves while chili peppers, spices and vinegar are also used. Fish curry and rice (Xit kodi in Konkani) forms the staple food of the community. Goan Catholic cuisine has distinct Portuguese influence as can be seen in Sorpotel, the famous pork dish often served with Sannas (idli fluffed with toddy or yeast) as the Pièce de résistance at wedding dinners and Christmas dinner, while Chouriço (pork sausage), Goa Sausage Risotto, Vindaloo, Aad Maas (pork ribs), Assado de Leitoã or Dukra Roast Maas (roasted pork) and Gaye Roast Maas (roasted beef) are also popular. Goan Catholics mix pork blood and other parts in most of their pork delicacies as can be seen from Pork Bafad. Xacuti (pronounced ) is dish originally from Goa prepared with either mutton, pork or chicken. Canja de galinha and Chicken Cafriel are well-known chicken dishes. Vindaloo is another Catholic Goan dish often served during special occasions.Croquettes, beef cutlets and beef potato chops are common snacks. Roast beef and beef tongue are popular entrees at Goan celebrations.

The traditional Nalachi kodi, (literally coconut curry) is a curry made with coconut juice is quite popular. The Goan fish curries and prawn curry are known for their taste and renowned in the whole of coastal India while fried fish dishin their style is well known. Solantule kodi, a spicy coconut and kokum curry is also popular, Ambotik (a sour curry dish) and the Girem-Mirem (a spicy curry, which uses jeera and other spices) are prepared with either fish or meat. Chamuças is a Goan derivative of samosa, which is usually filled with beef or pork is well known snack. The traditional Mol De Peixe (Fish pickle) and Balchão (prawn pickle sauce, originally from Macau) are popular.

Khatkhate, a vegetable with at least 6 vegetables stew is popular. Filoz, a type of pancake, is also popular. Tondak (Beans combined with cashewnuts) is also very popular. Caldo verde is a popular soup. The Cashewnut laddus, Khaje, Revdyo, Peda, Tizan, Godshem, Puran Poli and Sakhar Bhat are well known sweet dishes. The Gulumba, a sweet and sour jam is very popular. Halwas like the Dali kapa (Halwa made of red gram), Cashewnut Halwa, Coconut Halwa, Pumpkin Halwa etc. are popular among Goan Catholics.

Kuswar is a term often used to mention a set of unique Christmas goodies which are part of the cuisine of the Goan Catholic community There are as many as 22 different traditional recipes that form this distinct flavour of Christmas celebration in Goa.