Abstract:
Food has the power to convey information about the culture and way of life of a nation. The cuisine of South Asia is the result of a wide range of cultural influences, including those of the Aryans, Tibetans, Persians, Chinese and Mongolians. Subsequently, Pakistani cuisine also mirrors the unique flavors and tastes of a multitude of different cultures. The current study identifies various traditional dishes consumed throughout the country, variations in ingredients and cooking methods across different households in the country. In this study, focus group discussions were carried out across all the zones of Lahore. Multistage random sampling was used for recruiting a representative sample of households from each of the chosen union councils across the region. Selection of individuals was done on the basis of their ability to cook traditional dishes. Focus group discussions were conducted following strict protocols across a period of three months. Analysis of the collected qualitative data was done through classical content analysis and constant comparison analysis revealed that amongst food groups, non-starchy vegetables were the most frequently consumed dishes, followed by starchy vegetables cooked in combination, lentils, and cereals. Meat based dishes were amongst the least consumed foods all across the zones. Although food plays a significant role in people’s lives all across the city, there were drastic differences in food consumption even within the same zone. Multiple factors came together to influence people’s choice of food and frequency of consumption. Simultaneously, cooking methods as well as ingredients for numerous dishes varied from zone to zone. This aspect whereas brought diversity amongst the food preparation and its attributes, it also presented the question whether the food being consumed was truly serving its nutritional purpose or not. Cultural heritage of the region can be preserved through determining the recipes and cooking methods of locally consumed dishes. Local food databases and meal-planning exchange lists can also be developed for these traditional dishes.
Page(s):
181-181
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
traditional dishes
,
food database
,
Pakistani cuisine
,
South Asian foods
,
food culture