If you’re considering volunteering, you’re passionate about gastronomy, and you enjoy new experiences, India offers exotic flavors that you probably haven’t tried before. The cuisine of this country is known worldwide, but there’s nothing like going to the place of origin to taste traditionally prepared dishes.
During your volunteer program, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Indian meals during lunch and dinner, as the volunteer menus consist of foods and dishes typical of the region, so you can fully experience the country’s cuisine and culture. Depending on the volunteer program you choose, you’ll interact and get to know the locals. Depending on the program, you might work with children or adults, and you may also have the opportunity to work in hospitals caring for patients or in a wildlife sanctuary caring for animals.
You’ll be able to try the most typical dishes of India and the region where you’ll be, which will be Jaipur. This city is located in the Rajasthani region, and the food in this area is based on locally grown ingredients, so the main ingredients will be those that thrive in a dry climate. The main ingredients are wheat and millet, as they require little water and tolerate high temperatures. Some of the typical dishes of the region that you shouldn’t miss if you’re doing this volunteer program include gatte ki sabzi, which is a dish made from small balls of flour cooked with spices such as turmeric powder, coriander, or red chili powder, and these balls are served with a spicy sauce. Another typical dish is papad ki sabzi, which is made with curry and fried papads, which are chips made from dried lentils with spices, and it’s served with a sauce made from yogurt and tomato.
The main ingredients of dishes in this country are rice, legumes, and atta, which is a type of whole wheat flour. Indian food is famous for its spicy flavors, vegetables, and spices.
Masala means a mixture of spices and is the term used to refer to the combination of spices used for seasoning. On the other hand, the word curry has various meanings, as it is a type of spice, although for Westerners, it is also a mixture of them, composed of coriander, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, tamarind, or saffron, among other ingredients. But originally, for Indians, curry means sauce; this word comes from Tamil “kari,” and for them, it is any dish that includes meat, fish, or vegetables accompanied by rice and a creamy sauce with spices.
Try the flavors of India during your volunteer experience.
As it is such a large country, the cuisine can be divided into two, the one predominant in the north characterized by its heavy use of dairy products like yogurt, milk, or paneer, and meals are usually accompanied by bread. In contrast, the southern part of the country primarily uses rice as an accompaniment, and they also use coconut oil extensively. The garam masala spice blend is also very typical of this region.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry; you can find many dishes that suit your dietary habits there, as many Indians do not eat meat or only eat it occasionally because they believe animals are sacred. For this reason, many dishes are vegetarian.
Traditionally, Indians ate with their hands, using the four fingers except for the index finger, but nowadays, the majority of the population eats with a spoon and fork. So if you want to feel integrated into their culture, you can try eating with your hands, using a banana leaf as a plate, as they did in ancient times.