Street Foods of India: How Potatoes Dominate Here Completely

Let us take a moment and acknowledge the dominance of potatoes in Indian cooking; and while we are at it, let us also thank the Portuguese for introducing ‘batata’ or potatoes to India. Yes you heard us, our dear potatoes, our infact an import by the Portuguese, but has that stopped us from using, consuming and loving the vegetable in all its glory? Not a chance! Be it parathas, curries or sabzis, we have even gone on to use the humble vegetable in one of our famous Biryanis! (Read: Kolkata Biryani) we just cannot keep ourselves from using potatoes in all the different dishes we love to cook and eat. One such arena that patotoes have dominated completely is the street food fare of the country. Here are some potato or aloo based street side snacks you must try (if you haven’t already!)1. Batata Vada:  Potatoes boiled and mashed with salt, chillies, peppers, and then the mixture is dipped in batter and deep fried into crispy golden balls, served with a tangy coriander chutney topped with heart-warming masala. Ask any Mumbaikar and he will tell you how there can be no better mood-lifter than a plate of Batata Vada and a cup of tea on a rainy evening. 
 

 

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^{batata vada}2. Vada Pav
Often dubbed as Maharashtra’s favourite go-to snack, there is perhaps no other street snack that has managed to win the hearts of Maharashtrians the way a vada pav has. This combination of a soft pav, stuffed with a golden-fried spiced batata  vada, served with a lick of tamarind and coriander chutney is everyone’s tea-time snack. A trip to Maharashtra is incomplete without a bite of the pillowy goodness of Vada Pav. 
 

 

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^{vada pav}3. Aloo TikkiDelhi and its inimitable chaat fare is every foodie’s dream come true, and standing tall and proud amongst the other superstar chaat contenders is a the popular aloo tikki, a flat patty of mashed and boiled potatoes imbued with eclectic spices that can make most of your diet plans go for a toss! Don’t believe us? Have it with the generous helping of the tamarind and coriander chutney and you would know what we mean. 
 

 

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^{Aloo Tikki}4. Tikki BurgerWhile the International Burger chains can fight it out amongst themselves to woo its Indian customer base, this desi version of burgers stuffed with aloo tikkis, served with a mix of tamarind and coriander chutney secretly continues to rule the heart of every street food lover. Wholesome and reasonable, its exactly the kind of tummy-filling goodness you need. 
 

 

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5. Ragda Patties Ragda pattice is a popular Indian fast food which forms part of the rich street food of Maharashtra and Gujarat. One may call it a close cousin of North India’s Aloo tikki, ragda patties are flat patties of potatoes which are also served with an array of chutneys and masalas. 
 

 

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^{Ragda Patties}6. Shakarkandi ChaatGuess flavor and taste runs in the family of potatoes, a shakarkandi chaat is a delicious chaat preparation made of boiled sweet potatoes, masalas and a pinch of lemon. In addition to being one of the yummiest and popular street foods of the country, shakarkandi chaat is also one of the healthiest street foods you can find around. Also read:  (5 Amazing Sweet Potato Benefits: What Makes This Tuber So Good)

 

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7. Aloo ChatAnother one from North India’s rich range of Chats is the famous Aloo Chaat which is prepared by frying potatoes in oil and adding spices and chutney. Served typically in ‘donas’, this delish chaat serves as a great snack for nippy evenings. Its spicy, flavoursome and oh-so delicious  (Click here for Benefits of potatoes)
 

 

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8. SamosaYou saw this coming didn’t you? While there are many  experimental to outright bizzare fillings to a samosa in the markets (Read: Minced mutton, cheese, noodle) - our all time favourite has to be the classic aloo-wala samosa. Served with chutney or ketchup, a samosa is hands down one of India’s most loved street food of all time and our humble potato has its own sweet role play in its popularity.
 

 

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^samosaGrab a couple of your friends and start street-hopping already.