Think of Goa and you are immediately reminded of its sun-kissed beaches, palm trees, azure waters, and savory cuisine, which are a part of the Goan charm! While everyone is quashing their travel plans and staying indoors to save themselves from the pandemic, if you are a Goan native or stuck over there amid the lockdown, we have some great ideas for you to maintain your health and even improve your immunity to fight any potential infections.
Immunity-boosting foods, healthy recipes, and nutrition-rich ingredients are all trending right now as the world is grappling with the effects of Coronavirus. Coming back to Goan cuisine, there is an amazing variety that you can enjoy that will treat your taste buds as well as enhance your health.
Certain food items such as Nachni, Goa Red Rice, Kuleeth, local berries, Chunam, Jambul, jackfruit, and mangoes have unsurpassable benefits. Doctors and medical practitioners stress locally grown and procured fruits and veggies that offer the maximum nutrition and goodness.
Vitamin A found in Kokum, egg yolk, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and carrots is known to hold immense benefits for your health. Vitamin B present in bananas, fish and beans, chickpeas, okra, and curd is important for your metabolism, and foods like tambdi bhaji (amaranth), shepu, drumsticks, and fenugreek (methi) leaves are rich in iron and fatty acids like lauric acid and caprylic acid. Dried fish (bombil, sukhi sungta, kismur) and coconut are known to be immunity boosters.
Dishes like Taakachi Kadi – buttermilk curry with turmeric; cashew fruit chutney; aatwal – rice gruel with fenugreek seeds and coconut milk; Kassey – a concoction of tulsi leaves, ajwain leaves, flaxseeds, onion, ginger and lemongrass, all have immunity boosting properties.
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Sol Kadhi or Goan kokum curry is one recipe people swear by during the harsh and humid summer season. Incredibly healthy and a digestive and cooling drink, the Sol Kadhi is made with the fruit-bearing kokum plant, which acts as a souring agent.
Varan Bhaat with coconut is another popular dish in Goa that’s a specialty during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. A vegan lentil dish, Varan Bhaat is a healthy dish that contains fresh coconut and minimal spices and is packed with protein and fiber.
Another delicacy that is full of health and goodness is Sungta Suke. A delicious prawn curry, this dish is savory, spicy, and full of selenium, which is one of the most effective antioxidants that maintain healthy cells and contains phosphorous, copper, and magnesium.
Aside from the terrific locales and pristine views, Goa is also made of eclectic cuisines and interesting culture that give you the taste of different flavors while enriching your health.