Aazol; the word means maternal grandparents’ home. It is synonymous with a lot of love and good food. I remember, as a child, every summer vacation used to be at my Nana-Nani’s place. I have many memories, and many of them revolve around food. My Nani was an excellent cook and a delightful lady. She would never let anyone who has come to her home leave on an empty stomach. My mother inherited the same outlook toward food, and so have I.
Food, for me, is love, warmth, and care; it speaks volumes, tells stories, and brings people closer together. Food is a legacy; every household has its secrets to every recipe that has ever existed. Homemade food has a certain charm, and even a simple dish makes you reminisce and feel at home. It does not matter where you are from; certain foods are unique when it comes to feeling loved.
Especially if you are living away from home and access to homemade food is limited, brands such as Aazol bring homely products under one roof for you to consume.
Below are a few fantastic products brought to you from various parts of Maharashtra. They are of exceptional standards and made in small batches to keep the freshness intact. The amount of love and hard work poured into each of these and many more products can be tasted and felt.
Unpolished Indrayani Rice
A medium-grain fragrant rice that becomes sticky when cooked. It goes well with thin curries, especially non-vegetarian curries or even the buttermilk Kadhi. Indrayani descends from the original fragrant rice Ambemohar. It is rich in Vitamin B1 or Thiamine, antioxidants, and fiber and helps stabilize body sugar levels. It is also known to boost metabolism and aid digestion.
Kaakvi: Liquid Jaggery
Kaakvi, or Liquid Jaggery, is an underrated player amongst its contenders like sugar and jaggery. Kaakvi is the least processed form of sugarcane; it is made by boiling raw, concentrated sugarcane juice and is packed with nutrients. It is a well-known blood purifier and helps cleanse the body of toxins, and this helps boost overall immunity. It relieves joint pain, prevents respiratory problems, and treats flu-like symptoms. Kaakvi is rich in iron and potassium and helps fight menstrual cramps and to avoid anaemia.
Kokum Agal Pure Fruit Extract
Kokam Agal is a liquid extract of the Kokam fruit or Garcinia Indica found along the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Kokam Sherbet is a well-known summer drink because it has a cooling effect on the body. Kokam Agal is used as a souring agent in curries or other dishes. It is also used to make Sol Kadhi, which is a nutritious digestive drink made using coconut milk. It contains antioxidants and other nutrients like calcium, manganese, potassium, iron, zinc, and Vitamins A, B3, and C.
Home Orchard Grown Mango Pickle
Pickles are a popular accompaniment that transforms a simple meal of dal rice into something lip-smacking and delicious. Mango Pickle is quite famous, and almost every household has a bottle. There are numerous recipes, but a common one includes raw mango pieces, red chilli powder, split mustard seeds, salt, jaggery, and peanut oil. This pickle is made during summers when raw mangoes are found aplenty and then stored in a dry area for consumption throughout the year. It is packed with Vitamins A, E, and C, which help strengthen immunity and your skin and eye health. It also helps keep your blood pressure in check. Moreover, when one is not feeling well, a spoonful of this homemade aam ka achar with one’s meal will bring colour to those pale cheeks!
Soft Coconut Jaggery Chikki
Chikki is something we have eaten since a young age. Earlier, if someone was returning from Lonavla, Chikki was the one thing they always brought back with them. Nowadays, it is available everywhere. Usually, Chikki means a hardened sweet snack, but this chikki has a soft texture, is made using jaggery, and can be eaten guilt-free by people of all ages. It makes for a perfect on-the-move snack as it is healthy, and a couple of these will satiate your immediate hunger pangs.
Aazol brings you wholesome foods sourced from local self-help groups led by women that use conventional methods with minimal preservatives or chemicals. These products are handmade or made on a small scale at home-like units and use sustainable methods, making them an excellent choice for consumers. So, the next time you are craving your grandmother’s food, take a look at Aazol’s website, www.aazol.in and order homemade food online that will be delivered to you in your home.