{"id":"aigc-v0-b1549fa6-b47b-516b-a820-85cc44512cf2","title":"Makar Sankranti Delights: 10 Traditional Foods to Savor!","description":"Makar Sankranti is a vibrant festival, and this article explores 10 traditional foods perfect for the celebration. Discover various dishes, their significance, and regional variations, offering a flavorful journey through Indian culinary traditions.","timestamp":1768379812,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Makar Sankranti Delights: 10 Traditional Foods to Savor!","modifiedHeadline":"Celebrate Makar Sankranti With These 10 Foods","subCategories":["scid_4e939139"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"95eb7aa5-b217-4492-828d-a879ddce4179","bundleTitle":"Nourish & Flourish","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"214","fcSummary":"Makar Sankranti brings diverse traditional foods across India. From sesame sweets like til ladoo, savory khichdi variations, Gujarati undhiyu, Bengali pithe, Punjabi sarson da saag, UP's dahi chura, Maharashtra's puran poli, South Indian pongal, Assamese pitha, to kite-flying snacks.","summary":"Savor Makar Sankranti! Explore 10 traditional dishes, their cultural significance, and regional twists. A flavorful journey awaits!","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/entertainment/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-b1549fa6-b47b-516b-a820-85cc44512cf2?byte=true","sourceUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/entertainment/IN/en/feedpost-specials/aigc-v0-b1549fa6-b47b-516b-a820-85cc44512cf2?byte=true","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/8Y_kEdbKAL70.webp","content":"

\n As the sun begins its northward journey, ushering in longer days, Makar Sankranti fills the air with joy and festivity across India. A significant aspect of this harvest festival is the delicious array of traditional foods. Here are 10 must-try dishes to make your celebrations even more special!\n

Sweet Sesame Delights

Til ladoo and chikki are quintessential Makar Sankranti treats. Til ladoo, made with sesame seeds and jaggery, symbolizes prosperity and good luck. The

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crunchier chikki, often made with peanuts or other nuts in a jaggery base, is another favorite, representing the sweetness of the season. These sweets are shared among family and friends, spreading the festive spirit.

Savory Khichdi Varieties

Khichdi holds a special place in the Makar Sankranti feast, with each region putting its unique spin on it. Moong Dal Khichdi, a simple yet nourishing dish made with lentils and rice, is commonly prepared. In some regions, a special version with seasonal vegetables and spices adds a layer of flavor, representing the bounty of the harvest season. Khichdi's simplicity makes it both comforting and significant during this time.

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Gujarati Undhiyu Magic

Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable casserole, is a Gujarati specialty enjoyed during Makar Sankranti. The vegetables, including winter favorites like potatoes, eggplant, and beans, are slow-cooked with aromatic spices. The unique cooking process, often involving an earthen pot (undhi), infuses the vegetables with a distinct flavor. Undhiyu is often served with poori and shrikhand, adding to the festive meal.

Bengali Pithe Pleasures

In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is synonymous with pithe, sweet rice cakes. Different types of pithe are prepared, ranging from steamed patishapta, filled with coconut and jaggery, to deep-fried malpua. These delightful treats represent a way to celebrate the harvest, made and shared among the community during the festival. The process of preparing pithe is often a family affair, creating lasting memories.

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Punjabi Sarson da Saag

Sarson da saag with makki di roti, a classic Punjabi combination, is relished during this period. The mustard greens are cooked slowly with spices, offering a robust and earthy flavor. Served with a dollop of butter and accompanied by the thick, unleavened cornmeal flatbread, this dish is a hearty and satisfying choice during the cold season.

Uttar Pradesh's Dahi Chura

In Uttar Pradesh, dahi chura is a simple yet popular dish during Makar Sankranti. Flattened rice (chura) is mixed with yogurt (dahi), and often sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This light and refreshing meal is a welcome contrast to the richer, heavier dishes of the festival, providing a refreshing break. It's an easy-to-make, everyday meal that takes on special meaning during the festive period.

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Maharashtra's Puran Poli

Puran Poli, a sweet flatbread, is a staple in Maharashtra during Makar Sankranti. It is made with a sweet lentil filling flavored with cardamom and nutmeg. The flatbread is cooked on a griddle and served with ghee or milk, adding richness. Puran Poli symbolizes the sweetness of the harvest and the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.

South Indian Pongal

Pongal, both a sweet and savory dish, is a major part of the harvest celebration in South India, including Makar Sankranti. Sweet Pongal, made with rice, jaggery, and ghee, is offered to the deities as a thanksgiving gesture. Savory Pongal, with lentils, rice, and spices, is another favorite, eaten as a main course. Pongal signifies prosperity and the abundance of the harvest season.

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Assamese Pitha Varieties

Assam celebrates Magh Bihu (the Assamese name for Makar Sankranti) with an array of pithas. Tekeli pitha and til pitha are popular, alongside other rice-based cakes, that are an essential part of the celebratory meal. These treats are often made with rice flour and stuffed with various fillings. These rice cakes offer a wide variety of flavors and textures, with the making of the pithas being a communal activity.

Kite-Flying Snacks

No Makar Sankranti celebration is complete without some light snacks to enjoy while flying kites. In many regions, you'll find chevda, a savory snack mix of flattened rice, nuts, and spices. Another popular choice is gajak, a brittle made from sesame seeds and jaggery. These snacks provide energy during the kite-flying sessions and add a festive spirit to the day.

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Makar Sankranti Delights: 10 Traditional Foods to Savor!

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