Scented explosions on your tongue from the streets of Karachi.
Now does that look good or what?
It does to me.
Its about time we discovered or better still ‘rediscovered’ the cool artwork for our eyes and taste buds concerning a few of our Pakistani desserts. So let me start with the photograph above of the ‘goola ganda’.
If you have not tried this before, let me tell you that it tastes absolutely heavenly, and this due to the ice cold scented syrup flavors running blissful havoc on your taste buds as an explosion of scented cold hits your tongue for the first time. It is ice that is shaved into a form of a lolly with different sweet syrups poured onto it, I remember tasting this many years ago, then ate it every day religiously for two weeks till I became a connoisseur of it. The goola ganda is one of the nicest of street food/desserts served in certain areas in Karachi Pakistan.
Now we come to the unique kulfi, which is a cold but smooth velvet flavored lolly type dessert waiting to be devoured, it is better known than its poor yet dynamic cousin the goola ganda, but apart from being served as only a street food, the kulfi is also respected enough to be served in many Pakistani restaurants and comprises of many flavors, but it has only one flavor on one stick not many flavors on one stick. Yes, this is technical stuff for the serious foodie. The kulfi flavor I like most is the caramel crunch, I’m still amazed that some bright spark created this amazing flavor.
The falooda is a cold dessert popular in Pakistan. Traditionally it is made from mixing rose syrup, vermicelli , sweet basil (sabza/takmaria) seeds, and pieces of jelly with milk, often topped off with a scoop of ice cream. The vermicelli used for preparing the falooda is made from wheat. You get the feeling of a sweet drink and eating an ice cream all in one. The rose taste is amazing and must be experienced in a lifetime. Many times.
Last, but not least, the beautiful cooling taste on a hot summers day (which is nearly everyday in Karachi) of sugarcane juice. Many street vendors have this electrical machine on wheels which powers on by some sort of magic to help grind the cane into this delicious juice. A little bit of lemon juice is added to this drink so that you get the wow effect. I usually drink two glasses of this very slowly to savor the taste.
We have not spoken yet of the russ malai, but lets keep that topic for a future date, or better still, a date with a loved one.
The gracious wonder about all the above is that it is affordable to mostly all of the population regardless of wealth or status. All are equal when it comes to street food, or street ‘art’ as I would call it. Have an artful day.
Blessings to you
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