The fisherfolk of Mumbai called kolis are the oldest residents of the city - in fact, the name Mumbai derives from the kolis' patron deity, Mumba devi. Living along the coastal areas of Mumbai in small settlements called koliwadas, they are a very a distinct community with their own dialect of Marathi, their manner of dressing, their songs, their deities and customs and of course, their cuisine. And this is one community where the women (called kolins) are as much empowered (if not more) as the men. The division of labour is clear - the men go and fish, the women (called kolins) are entrusted with selling the catch.

The other day, when I went shopping for prawns to the wet market here, I was suddenly reminded of the kolin who we used to buy our fish from. Dressed in garish coloured saris and bedecked with gold, she would haul her basket on her head and walk tall and erect, never once needing her hands to balance the load on her head! Bargaining loudly with the customers, her face would nevertheless break into an easy grin (once the sale was completed, almost always on her terms!) showing not just her tobacco stained broken teeth but more importantly, a glimpse into her warm heartedness beneath the very agressive demeanour.

I had decided to make a very typical Maharashtrian prawn curry, but for some reason, the lure of making a pasta in a creamy shrimp sauce was too irrestible. However, there was very little fresh cream in the fridge - but several packets of coconut cream in the pantry and thus, Prawns in Creamy Coconut Sauce happened. Luxuriously creamy, it is the touch of saffron with a hint of basil that makes this sauce absolutely irrestible!













This is my entry to Presto Pasta Nights # 106 being hosted right here.
Hope you guys are also furiously thinking pasta!!