Ponk (roasted millet)
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Ponk as it is popularly know in Surat, India and surrounding areas is as variety of roasted millet available only in this part of the world. Ponk is usually available only during colder winter months, from November through February. Peak season in December and January. Due to recent technological advances it's available even in later October and early March. Ponk is delivered from surrounding area of Hazira to local stalls in Surat city. These dry millet are then roasted under charcoal and are beaten out from the soft shelling. Ponk should be green in color and soft as a gelatin dessert.
In winter it's time for Surtis to have Ponk Parties and Ponk Dinners. Ponk is added to various culinary delicacies like Ponkvada, comsumed with specially made Chutney from ponk. It is also consumed with Tikkhi Sev (Dry Spicy Noodle), Limbu Mari Sev (Dry Pepper Lime Noodles) or Variyali Dana (Sauf coated with Sugar).
There used to be a Ponk Picnic ground near the old Bridge (Nehru Bridge) on Rander Side of the town, but these days Ponk is sold in small make shift stalls almost anywhere in the City. New Ponk Picnic ground have emerged in the Adajan area of the city.
Sun Dried Ponk is also sold for long distance travel specially abroad where NRI Surtis who crave for their childhood taste can savor this unique delicacy.
