SEVEN CURRY

 SEVEN CURRY 


There are some things that you could never get rid of because they have intrinsically become an integral part of your culture and age tested traditions. Guyanese SEVEN CURRY is one of these things! 


It is an Indo - Guyanese delicacy! It's a must have at Indian functions, especially at weddings, served in the water lily leaf. Years ago Indian weddings were an event which took on a life of its own. It required several months of preparations that culminated in two weeks of frenzied, uninhibited celebrations. The whole village was invited, regardless if you were a relative, or not. 


The SEVEN CURRY on the day of the wedding was greatly anticipated. It consisted of a combination of vegetarian dishes which consisted of seven vegetables, including daal. Sometimes it is more but in my years as a child and teenager, it had to be seven. The parents of the bride and groom always ensured that they procured these seven items which could come in different combinations, depending on availability. Generally, it was pumpkin, katahar, bhagie/callaloo, aloo/potato, channa, daal, and bigan/egg plant. 


The use of the water lily leaf was traditional as well as economical and labor intensive. To feed one hundred people was no easy task. Hot food in the leaf released flavors from the leaf, adding to the taste of the food. Even today, while utensils are used, many still prefer to have the purine leaf. And it's more environmentally sustainable than plastic. Of course, seven curry is better when eaten with the use of your fingers. But that's a skill that you have to acquire


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