Does Indian Food Have Peanuts?
Many people enjoy eating Indian food because it tastes great, but do you know what ingredients are often found in curries?
If you’re wondering whether Indian food contains nuts, there are some things you need to know. But first, let me give you my reasons why you shouldn’t eat curry with nuts.
In India, many dishes include nuts like cashews, almonds, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, etc.
If your chosen curry house uses peanut oil, it can be pretty tricky to avoid in most dishes.
Does Indian Food Have Peanuts : Which Nuts are Used in Indian Cooking?
While not all Indian dishes containnuts, they feature quite heavilyin many different forms. There are several types ofnuts thatyou’ll commonly see used inIndian cooking.This listis not exhaustive, anddifferent places use differentingredients.They are as follows:
1. Almonds
2. Cashews
3. Pistachios
4. Walnuts
5. Macadamia nuts
6. Pecans
India was later invaded by tribes from Central Asian cultures, which led to the emergence of Mughlai cuisine, a mix of Indian and Central Asian cuisine.
Almonds
The almond tree originated in China around 2,500 BC. It spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa, eventually reaching India and Greece. In the 1500s, almonds began being cultivated in Spain and Italy. By the 1600s, almonds had become popular in France and England. Today, almonds are grown worldwide.
Cashew Nuts
The cashew nut is actually a fruit rather than a nut. However, it does grow inside a pod like a nut. The cashew tree grows in tropical climates and produces large quantities of fruit. These fruits are usually eaten raw or roasted. There are many different varieties of cashew trees, including those that produce edible pods and those that do not.
Peanuts
The peanut is one of those foods that people either love or hate. There is no middle ground. Peanut butter sandwiches are a classic staple of childhood, while some people find it off-putting. In India, however, peanuts are everywhere. You might even find them in your curry.
In fact, there are many dishes where peanuts play a prominent role. For example, Bombay mix is a popular snack in India. It consists of roasted peanuts, spices, salt and oil. However, the most common type of peanut used in Indian cuisine is called channa dal. These are small, yellowish beans that are often cooked into soups.
Nut Oils
If your chosen curry house uses peanuts, it can be pretty tough to avoid in most dishes, especially those containing gravy. This is because the oil from nuts like peanuts can easily be mistaken for vegetable oil.
Nut Flours
The nut flours are a staple ingredient in many of Britain’s traditional dishes. They’re used in curries, breads, cakes, biscuits, ice cream and even chocolate. Almond flour is the most common choice, followed by hazelnut, walnut, pecan, pistachio and coconut. Cashews make up about 5% of the market, while Brazil nuts account for less than 2%.
Pistachio Nuts
While you might not spot pistacchios in your main course, you need to keep an eye out at dessert. Pistachio nuts are used widely in India, where they are a key ingredient in many sweets like kheer, halwa, gulab jamun, and laddoos. They can be used whole or roughly chopped or crushed into powder and used as a topping or garnish.
Walnuts
Walnuts are another common ingredient in Indian desserts. They are also used in savory dishes, such as meatballs and burgers.
Macadamia Nuts
These little nuts come from Australia and New Zealand. They are very similar to cashews but slightly smaller. They are sometimes used as a substitute for cashews in recipes.
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