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