The "Patel’s" Fixation

From the moment our odyssey to the US of A begins, we desis are forewarned about carrying home made goodies, including pickles, papads, halwas, mithais, masalas, chutneys, and other condiments, for which we are singled out almost like magnets and cross questioned about the smelly packs. The big American fast food experience that’s complete only with the use of forks and knives soon becomes a saving grace; and of course, the fast paced life in general takes its toll on us.

While most of us steel ourselves and take to the new changes after the initial hiccups, we do still miss the sights and sounds and smells of India. For instance, when we look at dozen-odd brands of cereal on the shelves at a supermarket, some of us think back to the good old “ragi porridge.” And when we talk “idlis,” with our children gazing in wonderment, suggesting the name “rice cakes” instead, we gladly incorporate it into our evolving lexicons.

The choices here seem more difficult, as there are many. Further, with no small market places like in India, where there are easy options, familiar faces, and where one can bargain and buy seasonal fruits and vegetables right off newspaper-lined wicker baskets in the fresh produce markets, as opposed to glossy, waxy produce that adorn these local supermarket shelves for days, things seem a little more tough.

Even as more and more of us try to find a life away from home in this land of opportunities, there are few who strive toward making it possible for us, like the Patels, Anna Daatas, and others. With their stores, which are more like little passages to India that stock everything an Indian kitchen would need to subsist, they even serve us during late night emergencies, at times. Like midnight cravings of “rosogullas” or “bhel puris” that have been known to knock many a would-be father off his snoring slumber and out the door.

And it’s not just the fresh spices, flours, grains, dry fruits, sweets, and savories that I’m referring to in particular. These stores have become the serve-all, cure-all stock for us desis. Of course, there are “Mother’s Recipe” pickles for spicing up that bland dal-chaawal, “Lijjat Papads” for adding a crunch to a soppy meal, “Monaco Jeera” to go with that evening cup of “masala chai,” “Maggi Noodles” for that 2-minute breakfast on a lazy weekend, and hordes of MTR, Swad and Gits frozen ready-to-eats for busy week nights, including “Mixed Vegetable Upma,” “Masala Dosa,” and “Rajma Chawal.” Also, there is the odd pack of parathas or ghee-smeared rotis that people make do with at times too. And for those that miss the rare vegetables, there are frozen “drumsticks,” “parwal,” “tindora,” and the likes; while canned coconut milk, sliced jackfruit, mango pulp, tamarind paste, ghongura chutney, are just some of the other rare offerings in stock. Not to mention the “Parachute,” or “Dabur Amla” hair oils for the hair care fanatics, “Margo,” and “Pears,” soaps for the desi-formula skin care enthusiasts, “Multani” face packs and “Ayur” herbal products for the natural products aficionados.

When I saw that my local desi grocer was selling ziplocked packs of dosa and idli batter, it seemed, at the outset, an outstandingly brilliant concept to serve some urgent needs. Word got around, and before we knew it, these little packs brought the authenticity of the good old Rajalakshmi Wet Grinders to every other desi home, and sold off like hot cakes. And slowly, the excitement began to recede; and my grocer was thinking of new plans to beckon his customers back with. And then came the festive offerings: packs of region-specific sweets, like sesame barfis, puffed rice laddus, and even sugar-coated plantain crisps for Onam, or the yearly blend of dried nuts with coconut flakes for Sankranthi. And so on and so forth, he continues to surprise and lure us with his novel ideas. His latest is by far the most utilitarian, best-selling of all --- pre-washed, pre-cut okras, beans, and all the other vegetables that are known to take the most time-consuming and painstaking efforts to dice up. Of course, they come at a price, but that seldom comes in the way of the convenience of being able to experience what only the good old maids in India could provide us with --- pain-free and stress-free home keeping, and quality time for ourselves, which, hopefully, we will put to good and constructive use, if we already aren’t.

With all these amenities, and with the Patel’s store on Devon stepping up with its demo area and pickle bar, one wonders, what’s next? A microwave at the checkout corner where one can warm one’s frozen food pack, and take out piping hot to gobble down on the way home? Perhaps it’s time for the India Gardens and Hyderabadi Houses to wake up and smell the "Chole Bhature."