'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