International flavour a big hit in Metro snacks festival

Hyderabad: Metro travellers in the city were in for a pleasant surprise this weekend as the three-day International Snacks Festival ended on Sunday. Large varieties of dishes from across the globe were served at four Metro stations- Ameerpet, Uppal, Hitec City and MGBS.
Taking a cue from the sweet festival during Sankranti at the Parade Grounds every year, the Culture Language Indian Connections (CLIC) organised the event where more than 10 Indian and 10 international communities taking part in the fest to represent their local cuisine.Participants from countries like Mozambique, Comoros, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, China, South Korea, Ethiopia, Argentina and Afghanistan were seen.
"I was just coming back from college and I saw these stalls here and got really excited. I have been eating my hostel's mess food for so long that I have forgotten what anything else tastes like, but it was so refreshing to taste regional and international food. I especially liked medialuna, its a type of croissant from Argentina. I have also always wanted to try Korean snacks after binging their dramas for so long and I am glad I got a chance to try azuki bean rice ball, it was yummy," said Moulika M, an engineering student from Uppal.
The commuters were also entertained by cultural presenters, live cooking demos, food tasting and fun interactions for everyone of any age.
"We have been here in Hyderabad for almost a year now for studies and it is fun to interact with people from a different culture. We cooked some kabuli pulao and rogan kofta to represent our Afghan cuisine," said Yohanis Kalem and Ayat Mustafa, participants and students from Afghanistan.
Where the millenials were excited about the International cuisine available at the stalls, the older crowd was busy eating at the regional centres. There was kachori sabji and dal pitha from Bihar, pani puri from West Bengal, bhakarwadi and ajwain papdi from Maharashtra, samosa and gulab jamun from Agra, ragda pattice and raj kachori from Gujarat, balushahi and lassi from Punjab, among others.
"My husband always asks me to make lassi for me at home and I am glad we could have some here, I liked eating Raj kachori a lot and we will be getting some for our kids at home too," said Lakshmi Nalini who is a regular metro traveller from Ameerpet.
Food enthusiasts from the city, who paid a visit to the stations said that Hyderabad and its rich culture in food enjoys the diversity of flavours with so many cuisines mixed and this festival not only helps the cuisine with a variety but will also provide a platform to encourage home-makers to sell home-made food products.