With the beginning of December depicts the time for Jowar ears to be ready for plucking and this is also the time to snack on the unique dish Hurda. It is one of Maharashtra’s treasures of agriculture.

Hurda is commonly eaten just by roasting, which retains the majority of the nutrients. Tendor Jower is fiber and iron rich, with fairly high protein levels. It is said that Hurda is rich in anti-oxidants and all sorghum (hurda) varieties are gluten-free.

The Hurda parties are a great idea to bring people together to enjoy the mild sun in winter and eat nutrious hurda, roasted grains eaten with a chutney – sesame, groundnut, coconut or garlic; served on the side with jaggery.

Around 9 years ago, the Hurda made its presence felt in the urban milieu in the Empress Garden when its authorities allowed for a stall inside the garden. Ever since, slowly but surely, demand has been growing.

The tender jowar ears are available only for three months of the year and often eat these roasted over coal or a wood fire, sometimes with just salt and a wedge of lemon for the zest.The green jowar is juicy and slightly chewy, with fresh flavours in every bite.

In urban setting, Hurda is also now on the menu of Hotels like Shreyas on Apte road and Naivedyam at Mitra Mandal chowk and others in the city, but mostly, people prefer to head outskirts of the city to agro tourism farms.

The Empress Botanical Garden, Near Race Course, Camp, Pune
The Hurda Party will comprise of fresh Hurda, Jhunka and Bhakar, priced at Rs. 700 per person
Contact 020 26361840 Tanaji Shelake

Shri Saraswati Lawns & Farms, Survey no. 108/2, Patil Vasti, Maria farms chowk, Lohgaon, Pritam Chordia 7722075075

Megh Malhar Krushi Paryatan Kendra, Hotale Village, Kolwan, Mulshi, 7517744111

Konkan Kanya Agri Tourism – Shikrapur, Unlimited Hurday in 800 Rs per person with Breakfast + Lunch At post Mukhai (yeole mala), 5 km from Shikrapur, 9923457899/ 9823047757

Borkar Mala, Veer phata, Pune-Jejuri Road, Saswad, Akshay Borkar 9545020201

Karan Krishi Paryatan Kendra, near Ranjangaon Ganpati, Ramesh Sangpal 9822654306

Chincholi Morachi, Shirur, Jai Malhar Krushi Paryatan Kendra Mayur Baag, Aamrai, Chincholi Morachi  9823347233

Article by : Prachi Bari