Awesome Sauce

HIMACHAL PRADESH

GI tag for the local hot sauce of Himachal Pradesh

Apart from its famous temples, local art, textiles, and picturesque views, Chamba, a small town in Himachal Pradesh is also recognised for its distinct chutney—chamba chukh. Prepared using locally grown Chitrali chillies of Chamba Valley, the Himachal Pradesh government wants this generation-old traditional dish to be given the GI tag. Traditionally prepared using sun-dried red or green chilies, chukh is blended with an extract from local citrus fruits and further cooked with spices to make a paste. From cooking it in garlic, honey, and dry fruits to serving it hot without any sweetness, chukh is fondly savoured in different variants across local regions in the state.

Chamba chukh can be made at home using locally sourced dry red chillies