Sheetal Rasvanti Gruha

"Alepaak" phonetically sounds exactly like the same word in Marathi (Ale-paak- where ginger- Alle, is the key taste). Alepaak, a snack made with groundnuts, puffed rice, grated coconut and a spice called ‘Pade Lavan’ which is a carminative, digestive and reduces flatulence and also accords a distinct taste to Alepaak, accompanied with sugar cane juice.

Alepaak can be got in two forms – One Groundnut base and another parched rice base. The groundnuts are cleaned and then salt, Black salt, coriander, grated coconut, green chilies, lime juice is added, and what we get is groundnut Alipaak.

The process for the parched rice Alipaak is also the same just replace the groundnuts. It can be had separately or mixed with puffed rice and a fresh juice of sugarcane adds more flavor to it.
In other places Onion and other stuff is added; here nothing else is added. To top the preparation and to give a bit of spice a Ladoo of powdered Phutane mixed with asafoetida, chillies, ginger and black salt to give that extra spicy kick.

Belgaum is the only place where we get this. Strangely, it tastes best when had sitting down with the dish served on paper pieces!