Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada

Originally published in Marathi and now available in English, this groundbreaking book challenges long-held assumptions about Indian cuisine and caste. Journalist and author Shahu Patole, himself Dalit, documents recipes and traditions from two Dalit communities in Maharashtra—offering not only food but also cultural commentary.

Dalits, once labeled "untouchables," make up more than 20% of India’s population, yet their culinary practices have been largely excluded from mainstream representation. Patole argues that caste-based shame and marginalization have long kept these foodways out of cookbooks, blogs, and televised cooking shows. His recipes reflect both scarcity and resilience: dishes built on offal, blood, or meat from sacrificial animals sit alongside vibrant vegetable preparations and traditional breads.

For readers unfamiliar with Dalit food customs, the inclusion of beef and pork may be striking—but it's central to the story. Patole also reveals how even language marked caste distinctions in the kitchen. While the translation assumes some knowledge of Indian social and culinary history, the book offers a rare and necessary perspective on food, dignity, and representation.

Paperback.