Shukto

Shukto (Bengali: শুক্তো) is a popular vegetable dish in Bengali cuisine usually served with rice as a side dish or first course in the West Bengal state of India and in the neighbouring country Bangladesh.[1] It has slightly bitter taste and is especially served in the banquets of Bengali social ceremonies like Annaprasana or Bengali Wedding as a part of traditional Bengali thali.

Shukto
Shukto
Place of originIndia, Bangladesh
Region or stateBengal
Associated national cuisineIndia, Bangladesh
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsBitter Gourd, Drumstick, Plantain, Bori, Eggplant, Potato, Sweet Potato, Green Chili, Mustard paste, Ginger, Green Bean, Hyacinth Bean, Indian spices, Mustard oil, Milk, Ghee, Salt
Shukto at a food stall in a Bengali Food festival in Kolkata

Shukto has numerous different variations and can be prepared in different ways.[2]

History

Origin of Shukto is said to have influence of Portuguese cuisine when parts of coastal Bengal was colonized by the Portuguese. The Portuguese settlers modified a similar existing dish by adding some local ingredients, like bitter gourd, and developed it into a mouth freshener, mixing it with other vegetables. Over time, the dish became a part of Bengali cuisine with some additional ingredients like milk, baris, mustard seeds and oil.[2]

Pritha Sen, however, disagrees and states the origin to predate the 16th century Portuguese arrival in Bengal. According to Sen, the tradition of starting a meal by consuming bitters, considered to have a medicinal value, dates back to the ancient times and was promoted by the authors of Ayurveda. She also states that Shukto was consumed as a cooling agent in the hot and humid climates of the ancient kingdoms of undivided Bengal like Anga, Vanga and Kalinga. Shukto is also said to have mentions in Mangal-Kāvya, written during the medieval period and in the biographies of Sri Chaitanya.[2][1]

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See also

References
  1. >"Shukto: An Essential Bengali Cuisine not Influenced by the Portuguese Cooking – Different Truths". Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  2. >"Shukto: Why Can't Bengalis Start Their Meal Without This Bitter Medley Of Vegetables". NDTV Food. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
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