Ah, Christmas in Goa. It's like your traditional Christmas, but with more sand, and spice, and less likelihood of a snowman. Now, the Goan Christmas doesn't start with a jolly "Ho Ho Ho" but with the solemn chime of the Midnight Mass. Picture it: a balmy night, churches packed to the rafters, and not a single mince pie in sight. Instead, there's this intriguing air of reverence mixed with excitement - quite the contrast to the usual Christmas Eve scramble of wrapping presents and peeling potatoes.
In Goa, they've got this thing for nativity scenes, 'Presépio' they call it, where every household seems to be competing for the 'most likely to confuse a passing shepherd' award. And then there's the caroling. If you thought your neighbor's off-key rendition of 'Silent Night' was testing, wait till you hear a whole neighborhood belting out carols in balmy Goan weather. It's like 'The X Factor' but without the prospect of a record deal.
Decorations? Goa doesn't do things by halves. Streets illuminated like a Las Vegas casino, and homes decked out with these star-shaped lanterns called 'Parols'. It’s as if the entire place has been given a festive makeover by a particularly enthusiastic set designer who’s just discovered the joys of electricity.
Ah, the Christmas feasts of Goa. You might be expecting the usual festive fare of turkeys and pigs in blankets, but in Goa, they march to the beat of a different culinary drum, especially when it comes to plant based delights. Forget your turkey and sprouts; we're talking about Roasted Root Veg Xacuti, Coconut Foogath, Black Eyed Bean Patal, and Arroz Pulao.
The culinary landscape of Goa is like a grand historical drama, but instead of battles and conquests, it's about spices and roasting techniques. It's as if two cultures - Portuguese and Indian - decided to throw a potluck, and both brought their A-game.
Now, let's talk about Vasco de Gama. When he landed on Indian shores, he wasn't just carrying a compass and a map. Oh no, he brought a whole pantry. Tomatoes and chillies, which you'd swear were Indian natives, actually turned up in Goa like uninvited guests who ended up becoming the life of the party.
Vinegar, another import, probably arrived in barrels, looking as out of place as a penguin in the Sahara. But lo and behold, it became a local star, giving Goan dishes that tangy zing. And the cooking techniques! Roasting, marinades with fresh ingredients - it's like the Portuguese brought their recipe book and said, "Here, add some spice to these."
Salads got a spicy makeover too. Imagine a typical Portuguese salad landing in Goa and finding itself sprinkled with Indian spices. It’s like someone wearing a business suit suddenly decided to accessorize with a Bollywood-style scarf.
And beans, oh, the beans! The Portuguese, inspired by the Brazilian Feijoada, introduced beans to Indian cooking. It's like they said, "Here’s something from Brazil, try adding some of your spices." The result? Dishes like Black Bean Patal, which is not just a meal but a culinary chronicle, a testament to this fusion of flavors. It’s like tracing the family tree of a dish, going back to the time when these ingredients first met on the Goan coast, shook hands, and decided to create something spectacular. Which is exactly what we have created with Chef Kanthi for our Christmas special.
Gifts and Santa Claus? Of course, they do that too. Though, I can't help but think Santa must find the Goan climate a bit challenging for his usual velvety attire.
This cultural fusion, it's quite something. It's as if Goa looked at the traditional Christmas playbook, chuckled, and said, "That's quaint. Now watch this." Indian and Portuguese traditions mingling like distant relatives at a family gathering.
And let's not forget the tourists, flocking to Goa as if it's some sort of Christmas mecca. The whole thing turns into a sort of Glastonbury Festival, but with less mud, and way more tinsel.
So there you have it, Christmas in Goa. It's like someone took the concept of a British Christmas, fed it a spicy curry, and let it loose on a tropical beach. And frankly, it’s rather marvelous.