PESHAWAR: A special recipe of rice, known as ‘Mota Chawal’ (large rice) from the Charsadda district, becomes a culinary sensation in the Peshawar during the recent cold wave.
Food enthusiasts have been flocking to outlets in Peshawar’s Firdaus area to indulge in the delicious taste of this unique rice variety. Many have been seen taking parcels home to enjoy with their loved ones during the rainy weather.
Speaking to APP on Saturday, Pir Muhammad, a retired teacher from the Nowshera district, expressed his love for Charsadda’s Mota Chawal, particularly enjoying it with grilled, spicy meat. He mentioned his tradition of getting takeout from Qissa Khwani for his family, spending around Rs. 300 on their delectable cuisine.
Renowned for its hospitality, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s traditional cuisines, including Mota Chawal, Chapli Kabab, Roush, Mutton Karahi, Pate Tikka, and Chicken Painda, attracted a large number of foodies in Peshawar, despite the ongoing rainy weather.
Apart from outlets in Firdaus, Board, Namak Mandi, and Qissa Khwani, vendors selling Mota Chawal can be spotted along GT Road between Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan.
A Mota Chawal seller at Pabbi Bazaar, Riaz Khan, shared his family’s expertise in preparing Charsadda Chawal, highlighting the intricate process involving marinating meat with various spices before cooking it to perfection. He said that he served the rice with yogurt, raita, or pickle.
Hazrat Ullah, a shopkeeper at Firdos Bazaar, mentioned the nationwide demand for Mota Chawal and Chapli Kabab, particularly during winter, due to the purity of meat and freshness of ingredients used in their preparation.
The sale of Mutton Karahi, Dumba Karahi, Balti Ghost, and Dumpukhat Karahi increased in rainy weather. Food lovers like Kamal Khan of Nowshera expressed their fondness for Charsadda Mota Chawal and lamb’s Karahi, highlighting the tradition of visiting Charsadda for its authentic flavors.
Charsadda Mota Chawal’s affordability compared to Peshawari rice polao has made it a preferred choice for low-income groups, especially for special occasions like marriages and birthday parties. —APP
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