Nona ilish ₹90/gm

Nona Ilish (নোনা ইলিশ) is a traditional Bengali delicacy made by preserving surplus Hilsa fish using heavy amounts of coarse salt and sun-drying.

• The Tradition: Rooted primarily in coastal Bangladesh (such as Chandpur), this preservation technique was traditionally used to store the prized, oily Hilsa in layers inside sealed earthen pots when fresh fish was scarce.

• Flavor & Preparation: Unlike typical fermented shutki, Nona Ilish retains the distinct, rich aroma and profile of Hilsa rather than a pungent dry-fish smell. Because it is heavily cured, it requires thorough soaking in water (often for hours) to remove excess salt before cooking.

• Culinary Use: It is typically fried in mustard oil and used to make fiery, comforting preparations like Nona Ilish Bhorta (mashed with onions and chilies) or robust curries cooked with vegetables like eggplant or jackfruit seeds, served best with hot rice.