No sooner does rain come pouring down than most of us are tempted to have one ultimate rainy day snack – bhutta. Therefore, it is convenient to take with you this uncomplicated soul food as it is nutritious! Corn on the cob has better appeal against strong competition with its American cousin – burnt corn on the cob. We delved into the views of cooks and nutritionists to find out which of the two is more healthy, more delicious and much better for your tummy, so to speak.
Know the corn you eat
Desibhutta
>Used for traditional Indian sabzi n Chaat items
>Chowders and soups
American corn
>Used in baked goods such as cornbread, muffins and cakes
> Use in salads n Mexican dishes such as tacos and nachos n Corn and seafood cakes with harissa n churros
– Vikram Jaiswal, Executive Chef
“Brishti and bhutta, a match made in heaven”
There is this warmth that envelops when I take a bite of the charred bhutta Monsoon. This is the best snack for lazy, rainy days when your taste buds crave for something warm and tasty up.
– Ushasire
Desi bhutta vs American Corn
It was found that American corn is sweeter and appears to be more beautiful, and for that reason, American corn is not recommended as a substitute. While sweet corn, American range of corn is much more preferable while soft sweet desibuta is matured harvested crops consisting more complex starch with less sugar. It does not raise blood glucose levels. Fiber in corn is an anti-diabetic diet. This aids in preventing high blood sugar and maintains good bowel health from – Dr. Payel Kumar Roy, Nutritionist and Critical Care Nutritionist.
In the case of this clinical nutritionist Ananya Bhowmik adds, “Desi corn is good in fibers, packed with anti-oxidants, and is also produced in a natural way, while American corn is produced using hybrid seeds and heavy chemical manuring.”
City-based chef Snehal Bijoria divulges Desi corn has a nutty flavor with a crumbly structure, whereas American corn is relatively firmer and way sweeter. “Desibuta is gold in color while American corn is yellow,” she added.
Based on the sales of corn in the city, the American sweet variety corn is said to be more in demand than the Indian ones. “And if you ask me how many children have boiled American corn, I would say 8 out of 10 of them at least would have done it, particularly children,” said a supplier at New Market.
Bhutta district of Kolkata
>Outside Maddox Square
> College Square
>Baobazar Ferry
>Outside Netaji Bhavan metro station
> Near Karunamoyee More
Enjoying some burnt bhutta on rainy days is wonderful, to say the least. I prefer my bhutta on fire with loads of chaat masala and lime. In college on rainy days, this was the snack I lived on.
– In a shooting, however, actress Ushasi Ray sampled boiled corn and didn’t like it as much as the desi corn.
Image: Anindya Saha
Outfit: Surojit Dutta
