Aloo Karare!

Happy New Year All!

The humble potato is Delhi’s delight during the winter months. And aloo chaat, is the best form in which the potato can be consumed in this part of the world, at this time of the year.
As the temperature drops to the season’s lowest, I sit down and close my eyes. I see a photo slide of the various foods that I’d love to gorge on this winter (as any other). Aloo chaat, shakarkandi, jalebis from Chandni Chowk, mom-made halwa, kaanji (the blood red spicy drink made from bleeding carrots), and what not flash before my eyes.
I happened to visit the Ham House (known to people as Hamilton House), aloo chaat wala twice in the past two weeks and thought of talking (read writing) about him here. As the name suggests, the chaat wala sits (in a corner) outside the Hamilton House, Inner Circle, Connaught Place.

I’ve been having the alu chaat made by him ever since I’ve been visiting Connaught Place.

A visit to Connaught Place is rather incomplete without a nibble at this spicy snack, priced slightly high at Rs.20 for a plate.
Vijay is the man who carries forward the legacy of his father and elder brother of selling the famed chaat. And it has been 35 years since Delhiites have had the pleasure of gorging on it.

Vijay also does a fruit chaat for you, if you want. During winters he also does the sweet potato or shakarkandi to please your tatse buds. But nothing beats the humble potato: diced, fried, spiced up (mild spicy to fiery hot) and served hot. Ahaaa! Yummm!

And yeah he faced the axe from the Supreme Court when the street food vendors and stalls were asked to be removed. Later, everything fell in place (only for old players like these) and now he sells chaat to you legally. πŸ™‚

0 thoughts on “Aloo Karare!”

  1. I love alu chaat. will have to look out for this Vijay chap…I usually eat at Sector 28-29 (Brahmputra Market), NOIDA. he’s pretty good, and 10 or 15/- His golgappe are great and the tikki is to die for! Totally different from the Dilli tikki.

  2. Hey there! wish you a wonderful and food-filled 2008!

    the potatoes look swell! but I’m gonna try to avoid sweets and fried foods for at least a few days after all my holiday baking!:D

  3. asha: Yep Totally worth it ji! Happy New Year!
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    anita: You have to check his stuff out πŸ˜€ Sector 28 hmm neva been there..will go “some” day!
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    ~ ΰ₯ ~ : Ji bilkul he is back and rocking! Main kaafi sad ho gayi thi jab ye janaab gayab ho gaye the. Now I am happyyyy! Yayyyy!

  4. Mansi: Thanks for the wishes! I do want to have a food-filled year πŸ˜€ Thx again!
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    Srivalli: Anita is already making me join it by sending me the secret ingredient. Thanks πŸ™‚ It is indeed a nice concept!
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    Woody: You must πŸ˜€ Thank You ji!
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    blindfolded: You must not miss him πŸ˜€ Thanks πŸ™‚ Humbled…Delhi winters do rock! Aye!

  5. Hi..I left the comment before I knew Anita was planning to send you. Its nice to have you in this chain. Do let me know if you need help in identifying the next people to whom you will have to send. If you know, its great else will be glad to help you. You can drop a mail at cooking4allseasons@gmail.com..thanks

  6. srivalli: I got my secret ingredient yesterday… yayyy!! Will ask you in case of any queries πŸ˜€
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    Kulpreet: Yeah, you must! HNY!
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    gunj: Hehe. Welcome here! Happy Blogging!
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    ~ deeps ~: Correct! After this place, I always head to Wengers πŸ˜€ But I am a Vegetarian πŸ˜€
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  7. do u use ur cellphone camera to click the snaps or u take ur camera..whereever u go..
    u write good…although i needn’t say this…the number of comments suggests tht..:-)

  8. i have seen this fellow many times hwen am in CP…he mixes aloo and fruitss…doesnt dish out only aloo chaats….so dint sample …but as you say he is good…ill try out sometime!!

  9. expressions: Thanks, I use my camera and cellphone both.. depending on place and situation πŸ˜€
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    shooting star: no dear, he mixes fruit only when he is almost out of aloo, and that is towards the evening! πŸ˜€
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    durjoy datta: πŸ˜€ me too!
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