Navaratri is a Hindu festival running nine days from Sunday, Oct 15, 2023 to Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023. It is held to honour “the divine feminine”.
As taken from online sources: “Navratri is celebrated differently in India’s various regions. For many people it is a time of religious reflection and fasting, while for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. Typically those who fast observe a strict vegetarian diet that abstains from alcohol and certain spices.”
To celebrate this auspicious occasion Delta’s popular Indian restaurant: Yellow Chilli was offering their customers the ability to try two traditional meals from October 15th to the 22nd. These are not regularly on their menu. Two different types of Thalis (a round platter used to serve food) accompanied by tea.
On top of this staff were also dressed in traditional Indian clothes (saris and suits) and the restaurant rolled out an actual red carpet to greet patrons. This was a great way to learn more about the rich culture of Hinduism and its communities.
I was told that these two platters are typically served after a temple service and contains no garlic or onion, as per the custom.
The menu was printed on a one pager, and rolled and tied off with twine like a scroll. Sadly, it was a hard to read in an Indian stylized font. Not to mention the words I could make out, didn’t make much sense to me in their language of origin. You definitely need a local or translator to help decipher. We would order one of each.
The Shirdi Sai Temple Thali is a type of South Indian Thali served on plates made of dried pattal. Out of the two available this had the most elements and I would consider the more savoury one out of the two. With small servings of stews prepared with spicy and iconic Indian spices, squash, eggplant, potato, or okra. Eaten with basmati rice and dry and tougher roti. There was a chickpea patty similar to a falafel and mint chutney as a dip. And for dessert a sponge cake and a coconut milk soup.
The second option is the Vaishnodevi Vrat Ki Temple Thali, a type of North Indian Thali served on a silver moon-shaped set. This felt like the sweeter option of the two with a sticky rice that was scented with syrup, a puffed up rice cracker, and a dense and crumbly sesame ball. My favourite element was the crispy hashbrown-like potato patty and the two boiled and seasoned soften potatoes sides. Everything had its own flavour and texture, and the fun part was getting to mix and match to build your own perfect bite.
In short, this was a great promotion and experience for someone like me, who wouldn’t necessary visit a Hindu Temple or otherwise get to try such cuisine.
The Yellow Chilli
8737 120 St, Delta, BC V4C 6R5
604-598-0060
theyellowchilli.ca
