Rest in the Maldives is not only relaxing sunbathing, azure waters of the ocean and snow-white beaches . It is also an introduction to ancient island traditions , as well as tasting of dishes of national cuisine. To impress on the country were quite complete, you need to plunge headlong into the gastronomic paradise of the islands .
Features of Maldivian cuisine
Each dish, served in local restaurants, is distinguished by its refinement, originality of design and excites the appetite of eaters. The cuisine of the Maldives harmoniously combines the culinary Indian, Thai and Chinese traditions. Most of the national dishes contain rice, various spices, mainly curry, coconut, lemon juice and fish broth (garudium). The unusual tastes of food in the Maldives are attached to Telly fiya (fried crispy crusted onions).
A special place is occupied by fruits growing on the islands. Pineapples, mangoes, grapefruits and bananas are used in the preparation of desserts. Vegetables are rarely found on Maldivian tables, as well as chicken and eggs. Poultry is generally cooked only on special occasions. But the cuisine of the Maldives is simply unthinkable without fish, which can be found in all kinds of combinations. Especially popular is boiled, smoked and dried tuna. Fish with rice, coconut, onions, lime juice and chili are the basis of the diet of the islanders.
Popular cuisine dishes of the Maldives
Traveling around the country, you can not try:
- pasta "Mas Huni" , which is prepared from smoked tuna, mixed with onion, coconut and chili;
- fish pie «Kuli Borkiba» - a spicy dish of boiled fish with the addition of coconut chips;
- salad from onions "Fiya Satani" - the simplest national dish, which consists of onion rings and green chili peppers in marinade from lime juice;
- yellow curry with a squash of "Torah Cypress" - spicy soup from a torus (a kind of zucchini), flavored with curry, spices and chili pepper;
- fish patties "Badzhiya" and "Gulha" in the form of an envelope and a ball filled with smoked tuna, ginger, onion, magnolia vine and chili peppers;
- rice pudding "Handulu Bondibay" - popular Maldivian dessert with coconut cream;
- nut dessert "Dhufun" , prepared from a thin shaving of a nut of a white palm, wrapped with various spices in a sheet of peppercorn.
Traditional drinks
In the national cuisine, Maldives is very strict with alcohol - it can only be bought on tourist yachts, in hotels and in duty-free shops at the airport . Foreign citizens who have received a special permit can store alcohol in their rooms, but only for personal use.
There are several types of non-alcoholic drinks, both local and foreign production. Especially popular is the non-alcoholic raa - a decoction of sweet palm flowers. On large resort islands and in Male it is not recommended to drink tap water (in all hotels there is bottled water).