The Role of Local Food in Maldives Tourism - Scholarly Commons ...

could be used as souvenir food items at hotels, resorts, tourist souvenir shops and
airports.
Figure 6. 13 Variety of local snacks
Fried bread fruit bread fruit chips
Taro chops Naarovah faludha made from breadfruit
Source: Shakeela (2000, from the top left: p. 353, 354, 428, 427)
There is a large variety of short eats both sweet and savoury (Figure 6.14). They are
made in different shapes – some are round or egg shaped, others are similar to rolls in
shape while others are triangular shaped. Although the shape and size of some short eats
resemble food items from some neighbouring countries, for example, bajia looks like
the Indian samosa, the ingredients and methods of making are unique to Maldives. The
main ingredients of short eats are fish, coconut, spices, sugar and rice or flour. Tea and
short eats has the same bearing as coffee and muffins in Western countries. It is a
popular culture among locals to go for tea or sai to “tea shops” that are scattered in
every island to have a break, or as a way of socialising and celebrating. Tea parties with
large varieties of short eats are held to celebrate birthdays and weddings as well.
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