8 December 2016 - January 2017 THE DEPTHS OF COLOMBO ' S NIGHT LIFE
MY
SRILANKAN
CUISINE EXPERIENCE
TEXT & PIX BY ALINA KRĘCISZ
Undoubtedly , the best way to explore the cuisine of a country is by simply trying its street food , restaurants and moreover the ones prepared at home .
How did I start my adventure with Sri Lankan cuisine ? It wasn ’ t the happiest beginning , as the first thing I tried during my visit was king coconut water which I didn ’ t like due to its bland and overly sweet taste although it is filled with electrolytes . Despite this , I knew that it was an island favourite as it was refreshing and rejuvenating therefore I forced myself to drink it as I was exhausted after the long trip .
Probably like many other tourists , I was under the impression that only exotic plants grew on tropical islands , but what pleasantly surprised me was the great abundance of fruits and vegetables , both exotic and those known in Europe . Sri Lanka is filled with an amazing atmosphere with its local colours , aromas and experiences . One of the most exciting experiences I had on this beautiful tropical island was visiting local markets where farmers sell their produce and to recognize familiar vegetables and fruits as well as explore and try the unknown . This extraordinary richness of produce and its spices are a luxury to everyone who loves meat and for vegetarians or vegans . Although I am not a vegetarian , my favourite dish was the fish and vegetable rice & curry . I also had a similar experience at the fish markets where people started buying seafood which was caught just a few moments earlier . Amazingly , I learnt that fish can be fried , grilled or dried and can also be used to prepare rice & curry dishes
As I ' m very much interested in ecological issues , I found it very interesting that in Sri Lanka , there is an emergence in the association of small organic farmers who grow organically certified teas , coffees , spices and vegetable crops for the market and for home consumption . These types of activities provide opportunities to tap into natural environmental conditions , the production of highly valuable products and the many benefits for the farmers and their families . As Sri Lanka is still a country with many natural advantages in both agriculture and tourism , I hope that it will continue to use them skilfully . www . ballysmagazine . com