Dissection of a Kati Roll

A result of “Typical Quick Thinking” on a busy day when customers purchasing kebab and parathas outstripped the rate at which plates could be washed the so called “Mama” behind the “Tawa” decided to roll the meat in the paratha and serve them as “Rolls”. The very “Calcuttan” way of having a cheap but filling street available fast food had arrived. Over the years the “Mama” realized that having “Lalu” roll the “Roll” in paper was also less time consuming than washing the plates even if they were just “Rinsed” in water. Years of practice and “Mama” and “Lalu” were found to be in one of Calcutta’s famous restaurants, for a city noted for its Muglhai food “Nizams” was a Religion and the “Rolls” served its “Baptism”.

To explain best how the mouth watering and “Pepsi” guzzling 10 inch of pure delight is made one would have to venture to Calcutta and look in awe as how first the paratha is made then fried over a tawa, whipped egg is poured in the tava's center and topped with the bread and the meat sautéed with minimal use of freshly chopped onions. This done the Master passes the still “Smoking” paratha and the filling to the apprentice who with speed and efficiency wraps it up with spices, red onion slivers and lime carefully paying attention to the numerous customers surrounding the stall shouting out instructions – “Dada Amar ta te jhall beshi”, (more chillies for me) “Ore peach eta kom kore” (less of onions), “Lonka ta alada de” (Put the chilies separately).

But amidst all the confusion and the clatter the respective orders does reach the awaiting crowd accurately and at prices ranging from INR 10 to 30 (depending on the size and filling of the roll ordered) the meal is quite a feast.

Though “Nizams” still remain as one of the prime places to visit for rolls, there are quite a few in an area called Golpark – “Bedwin, Shiraz, Iceberg” are the ones that come to mind immediately.

By the way Pujas is next week and if one does want to try out the “Roll” Calcutta style please do visit the stalls at the RBNMS grounds which houses the puja for the “Bengalee Association”.

So for all those who are still yet to have ever tried a Kati roll, do so and please let me know what you think of the “Indian burrito”