Traditional Harisa returns amid winter chill

Srinagar, Nov 4: As the winter chill settles in Kashmir, the familiar aroma of Harisa,a traditional Kashmiri winter delicacy, is once again filling the narrow lanes of Srinagar’s Downtown.

From early October, as temperatures began to drop, old Harisa shops in areas like Fateh Kadal, Aali Kadal, and Maisuma have reopened their kitchens, drawing early morning crowds eager for a warm bowl of this seasonal dish.

At one of the city’s oldest Harisa shops in Downtown Srinagar, the owner said they start the season every year as soon as the temperature begins to dip. “We began serving Harisa in mid-October this year. Every winter, we continue till March. The buzz is back now as people wait all year for this.”Anas Manzoor, a third-generation Harisa vendor at Fateh Kadal.

Elaborating, he said Harisa is made mostly of mutton, rice, and a mix of Kashmiri spices. The mixture is cooked slowly overnight in traditional clay pots placed over firewood, giving it its rich and distinctive flavour. “We choose the best quality mutton and whole spices. It takes almost 10 hours to prepare. We start cooking at night so that by dawn it is ready for our customers.” He added.

The dish is usually eaten at breakfast, and many people visit the shops soon after the morning (Fajr) prayers. “I wait for months for Harisa season. My father used to take me here when I was a child. Now, I bring my own son. It’s more than food, it is a part of our winter memories.” , said Bashir Ahmad, a 50-year-old resident of Srinagar, while enjoying his plate at the popular Harisa shop in Maisuma. “

Locals said that although Harisa remains rooted in Srinagar’s old quarters, it is now being served in restaurants too. “We have started offering Harisa this year at our downtown restaurant. There is high demand from both locals and tourists,” said a restaurant owner at Khanyar.

With food bloggers and social media giving Harisa wider attention, more people including tourists are now seeking out this dish. “I had Harisa for the first time in Srinagar, and it was heavenly. It is warm, rich, and perfect for the cold weather,” said Anil, a tourist from Delhi.

Meanwhile, some local sellers now offer home delivery. Yet, regular customers believe that nothing compares to the traditional shops of downtown, some of which have been making Harisa for more than a century.

“This year, since Ramadan will be in February, the season will be slightly shorter, that is why we started early. People don’t want to miss their favourite winter dish.” said another vendor.