Goa is one of the leading coconut producing states in India. Goa's plantations perform a useful ecological role, binding soil and sand, reducing wind and storm energy. Today the coconut is used in hundreds of ways, including as a food , a beverage, as a beauty and health product and in rituals. The shells, fibers and wood are also used in small households items such as mats and mattresses and the trunks are used to build bridges. The coconut is Goa's second largest plantation crop after rice and offers employment to many thousands of people in the state.
Vijaydatta is a Goan who has fallen in love with coconut craft. He is from a traditional goldsmith's family and uses these skills to intricately carve coconut shells and wood. Most impressive is the collection of intricately carved crosses. His book 'Coconut; The Art of Coconut Craft' is available at Broadway Book centre. Vijaydatta makes more than 500 products from coconut shells and has a small stock of lampshades, bangles, bowls and serving spoons for sale at his home studio, run by his wife Nilam. Crosses can be ordered and take about ten days, costing between Rs.100 and Rs.500.
255/1 Arradi, Parra (close to church)
Mon to Sun 4pm-7pm, by appt only.
Contact: (0832) 2472067
Roadside eateries in South Goa
Ros omlette is a local delicacy served after 7pm. The tastiest and most lip smacking ros omletter is found at the roadside gaddo's. Ashok Gaddo, adjacent to Margao bus stand serves one of the best. Ros is a konkani word which means gravy with chicken, coconut and lime juice. Ulhas Gaddo located infront of Kriss Kross, Margao serves a spicy mindblowing gravy that lights up your tastebuds. There is also an unnamed stall near Wild Orchid, Majorda that serves tasty ros omlette.
Big Mama is located in Raia and serves a wonderful cutlet bread with extra chillis that adds to the whole experience. It also offers every Goans favorite delicacy 'sorpotel' along with bread to accompany it or even 'pao'. Sausage bread is also available to entice your taste buds a little further.
As the Goan food scene escalates continuosly among its recent additions is The Goan Food Truck at Cansaulim Circle near the HDFC Bank ATM. Already quite popular among the locals, it is a typical cutlet bread joint. Made more out of love and to satisfy the consumers the owner is a simple women to aims to give her best food. She serves pork chops, beef steak, sorpotel, sausage bread and chciken xacuti other than beef and pork cutlet bread. The local bread is filled with salad, mayonnaise and a spicy sauce to mesmerise you even more.
