Dzongu, the land of Lepchas. They believe that their land is blessed with abundance of nature. The Lepchas believe that if a life is spent in accomplishing good deeds then one is rewarded by eternal bliss in Mayal Lang (i.e. Heaven).
The inhabitants of Dzongu lead a self- sustained life as far as possible. All the vegetables and crops are grown with organic manure. The lepcha way of cooking is still on earthen ovens, with log fire, using very little oil and spices, the food is relatively simple but delicious. The people of Dzongu have very unique dishes to serve.
1. Khuree
The amazing Khuree is basically an oil-free buckwheat pancake. The pancakes, have a strong, earthy flavour, which are eaten either with a spicy tomato chutney (made with a tart, berry-like local variety) or rolled up with a saag filling.
2. Rice Poridge
Rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency. It can be made sweet or savory. It's also a great way to make rice go a long way when food is scarce.
3. Glass noodles with wild mushroom
Black mushroom are delicate in size and structure and have a more gelatinous texture. It may sometimes be necessary to tear them into smaller pieces but they are usually good to go. Glass noodles are these clear noodles which are made of mung beans and turn transparent and springy when cooked. The combination of glass noodles and black mushroom is the best combination to eat which gives you an amazing taste of both the ingredient.
4. Churpee(cottage cheese) with ningro(wild fern)
This combination of cottage cheese with ningro gives your taste buds a delicious experience. The fern is cooked at first and then cheese is added for an amazing taste. It is an irresistible dish which you will get to see in every lepcha house.
5. Maize bread
Maize bread is one of the healthy foods according to the lepcha tribe. It is a type of bread made out of cornmeal flour. It is one of the interesting and loved dishes of lepcha people.
6. Iskus Munta (Squash tendrils )
It is a dry vegetarian dish made with season squash leaves. Tasted good and seemed perfectly healthy. Green leafy tendrils of squash can be eaten with rice or roti.
Varieties of drinks are also served in Lepcha houses. All the drinks are mainly homemade and organic which the Lepcha people enjoy to drink.
1.Tongba (jaard)
It is one of the famous drinks which are made out of fermented millet. The drink is served in bamboo tumblers and is to be sip through thin bamboo straws. Not something that you would instantly like considering it’s actually a hot beer, but it’s worth a shot.
2. Rhododendron wine
It is a local wine which is made out of rhododendron flower which is kept in a jar with the fermenting substance in it for many months. After the wine is ready it is served in glass and the taste will be amazing.
3. Nigar (The Rice Wine)
Rice wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage. It is made out of raw rice which has a long process to prepare. It needs lots of hard work.
4. Handiya (The rice beer)
Rice beer is also one of the tradition drinks which are low in alcohol. It is fermented and kept for week and so and whenever it is ready to use it is taken out and mixed with water and then served.
The unique dishes of Lepcha’s are worth trying once in your lifetime. It will take you to a different level of amusement and happiness. You can feel the warmth of lepcha tribe in their cuisines and their culture. Their self sustained living culture, organically grown vegetables and cooking methods are very simple but extraordinary in its own way.
Thank you so much for great acknowledgment.
Thank you for the information. However, the names, for example, iskusko munta, Jaand, churpi, nigar etc. are Nepalese of origin. The Lepcha names would have served a better presentation.