PROFILPELAJAR.COM

Shutki shira
	Lotar hutki shira
Alternative names	Bengali: শুটকি শিরা, Hutki shira, Hukoin Shira, Fukoin Shira, futki shira
Type	Curry
Course	Main course
Place of origin	Bangladesh
Region or state	Sylhet
Main ingredients	Hidoil Shutki, garlic, turmeric red chili and any seasonal vegetables
	Media: Shutki shira;

Shutki shira (Bengali: শুটকি শিরা) is a fermented fish curry made with seasonal vegetables, leafy greens, and fish or prawns.^[1]^[2] It is cooked without oil or fat.^[3] The dish is popularly eaten in eastern Bengal, particularly in the Sylhet Division and neighbouring regions. It has many variations.^[4]

Etymology

Shutki shira means fermented fish broth in Bengali. In Eastern Bengali, the voiceless postalveolar fricative has a tendency to debuccalize to a voiced glottal fricative in word-initial position, leading to terms such as Hutki shira also being popular. Alternative terms also include Hukoin shira, Fukoin shira and Futki shira.^[5]

Variations

Hutki shirá varies with the availability of seasonal vegetables such as gourd leaves, radishes, and eddoe.^[2]

The hidol fish hidoil mas or hidol mas is used traditionally, but lotia fish^[6] may be substituted if hidol is unavailable.^{[citation needed]}

A regional variation is the Bengali recipe mukhir hutki shira, which uses eddoe or commonly knows as hairy potato (known in Bengali as mukhi or muki).^[2]

Preparation

Hutki shirá is typically made with hidol hutki, crushed garlic, pureed onion, potatoes, spinach, aubergine, red pepper, chili powder, salt, turmeric, and other seasonal vegetables that are available.^[7] The fermented fish is first soaked in cold water, then placed in a large sauce pan or cooking pot with sliced onions, garlic, ground spices, salt, and shrimp. The mixture is then covered and left to cook over a high flame. Next, it is stirred as it continues to cook before pumpkin and aubergine are added. Sufficient water is added to form a broth. In the final step, Naga chili is added and the broth is given a gentle stir. The dish is often eaten over cooked rice.^[8]