The festival is held at St. Anthony’s Church grounds in Versova village. It comes to life at night when the crowd swells and business peaks. In addition to food stalls, crowds enjoy live music, cultural performances, and other entertainment activities and programmes that last until midnight.
Cleaning seafood thoroughly before cooking is essential for food safety, hygiene, and quality control. Washing seafood separately from other ingredients and utensils reduces the risk of spreading harmful bacteria or pathogens to other foods and minimizes the likelihood of foodborne illness.
Traditional homemade recipes take centre stage at the Versova Koli Seafood Festival, offering a taste of authenticity rarely found in restaurant food. Visitors to the festival learn about the art of Koli cooking by attending live cooking demonstrations and culinary workshops conducted by expert chefs and Koli women.
Bombil fish, also known as Bombay duck, is often dried in the sun as a traditional method of preservation. The dehydration process inhibits the growth of bacteria and moulds, extending the shelf life of the fish. The drying process removes excess moisture from the fish and concentrates its flavours, intensifying its taste and aroma.
Much of Koli cuisine includes grated coconut as an ingredient or garnish. It improves the flavour and texture of chutneys and curries. A common element in many Koli meals, particularly stews and curries, is coconut milk.
The festival also serves as a platform to promote sustainable fishing practices and raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation. To set an example, in some stalls, food is served on banana leaves, an age-old Indian tradition which is environmentally friendly.
Marinating fish in advance saves time during busy meal times and allows the flavours to develop over time. The marinade infuses the fish with additional layers of flavour, creating a more complex and delicious taste profile.
A big draw of the festival is the chance to savour exotic seafood at reasonable prices. Crabs (kekda), oysters, lobsters, squid, and raw fish eggs (gaboli) are in high demand during festival days.
In the daytime, the women dress casually, but in the evening, they return to their homes and return in traditional Koli attire, wearing brilliantly coloured saris (navvaris) and heavy sets of gold jewellery. Wearing gold jewellery is particularly important to Koli women because it is a status symbol and a mark of prosperity.