'Sanjai', spicy sensations

'Sanjai', spicy sensations

Delightfully crunchy and delectably spicy hot are the two best
way to describe West Sumatra's favorite snack, sanjai crackers.

A trip to the province will not be complete without bringing
back home a few packets of these red hot sensations that,
according to locals, originated in the Sanjai subdistrict in East
Bukittinggi.

A ton of cassava produces about 300 kilograms of the crackers,
with the key to its good taste said to depend on the right mixing
of the chili sauce, made out of chili, shrimp, terasi (fermented
shrimp paste), sugar, onions, garlic and pineapple jam.

Sanjai is not only hot and spicy, but one can also experiment
with other tastes -- turmeric, shrimp, plain, sweet and salty.
Once tried, never forgotten -- and bet you can't eat just one!

-- Text and photos by Tantri Yuliandini