Asafoetida

About Asafoetida

Also called hing - one of the most pungent spices on Earth. Raw, it smells terrible (the name means stinking resin). But when cooked in hot oil, it transforms into a savory, onion-garlic flavor that is extraordinary. It is essential in Indian vegetarian cooking, particularly in dishes where onion and garlic are avoided for religious reasons. It is the dried sap from the root of a giant fennel. A pinch is all you need - too much ruins the dish. It is used in traditional medicine for respiratory and digestive issues. It is never eaten raw. It should be stored in an airtight container. It was popular in ancient Rome.