Since childhood I accompanied my father, who was a very busy professional but a foodie, to all sorts of food festivals, parties and gatherings of every kind. While he preferred to dig into meatballs, roasted duck or chicken 65 and deserts, am an outright fish person as its very appearance tickles my taste buds. A fish delicacy is the integral part on the Indian palate mainly in the cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Bangalore etc. Fish, in totality winds up a neat package at any food festival in most of the cities in India, including the capital Delhi. In the Indian context, Bengali, Assamese and Keralian gourmet comprise front running fish dishes.

Tasting a slice of a varied fish spread sinking one’s teeth into freshly made fish meat inhaling its rich aroma has made me feel heavenly to the core.

It is a delight when fish brain is cooked with pulses or the main course is a rohu delicacy adorned by a cauliflower and potato curry garnished with grated coconut and fresh coriander leaves. Tiny shrimps are wonderful when served deep fried and brown at the edges till crispy. Cabbage with fish bones is one of the spiciest dish on the menu card and enjoyable served in a really hot chilli paste. Fish also winds up a four course meal with a belly fish lip smacking chutney cooked with posto and tamarind. Smoked hilsa remains raw but melts in one’s mouth leaving a buttery trail. Online shopping malls have tried to reach such fish delicacy all over the world through internet besides the common seafood available in many corners. However fish has become a premier export item, so as a media of forex trading!

Last but not the least sukti machh is worth a mention as it makes entire neighborhood reel under its reeking stink when cooked in the confines of your kitchen. It is however worth mentioning that lobsters, shrimps, pomfrets, oysters along with crabs and a host of seafood are also alluring to me.