Sweet Sesame Laddoo
Til Ladoo, or sesame seed balls, are a staple sweet during Makar Sankranti. The sesame seeds are roasted and mixed with jaggery, then shaped into small
balls. The warmth of the sesame and the sweetness of the jaggery make this a perfect winter treat. This dish symbolizes togetherness and good fortune. The preparation typically involves roasting the sesame seeds until fragrant, melting jaggery to a thick consistency, and then combining the two. This mixture is then formed into small, bite-sized spheres, making them easy to enjoy.
Colorful Chikki Varieties
Chikki is another popular Makar Sankranti sweet, available in many forms. Made from roasted nuts like peanuts, cashews, and almonds, mixed with melted jaggery, chikkis offer a satisfying crunch. Peanut chikki is perhaps the most common, but variations include sesame seed chikki, puffed rice chikki, and even dry fruit chikkis. Each version offers a unique texture and taste. The process starts with roasting the nuts until golden, then mixing them with hot jaggery syrup. This mixture is then flattened and cut into squares or bars to cool and harden.
The Classic Undhiyu
Undhiyu is a traditional Gujarati dish, particularly associated with Makar Sankranti. It is a mixed vegetable casserole cooked upside down in earthen pots. The vegetables, like eggplant, beans, potatoes, and green peas, are marinated in spices and slowly cooked with various herbs. It’s often served with puris and shrikhand. This complex preparation gives it a unique earthy flavor. The vegetables are carefully layered in the pot along with the spices, creating a symphony of flavors.
Gud ki Roti
Gud ki Roti, or jaggery roti, is a sweet flatbread that provides warmth during the cool winter months. The roti dough is filled with a mixture of grated jaggery, sesame seeds, and sometimes cardamom. It’s then cooked on a griddle until golden brown. This dish combines the heartiness of the roti with the sweetness of jaggery, making it a filling and comforting meal. The warmth from the jaggery combined with the spices is especially welcoming in the cold season.
Moong Dal Khichdi
Moong Dal Khichdi is a healthy and comforting dish often prepared during Makar Sankranti. It's made with moong dal (split yellow lentils), rice, and a blend of spices. This dish provides a balance of nutrients and is easy to digest. It is frequently garnished with ghee and served with yogurt or a vegetable curry. The ingredients are cooked together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it a complete meal.
The Spicy Pongal
Pongal, a rice and lentil dish, is a common offering during this harvest festival, especially in South India. It is traditionally made with freshly harvested rice, lentils, and spices, cooked in milk and ghee. The dish is cooked in an earthen pot, allowing it to simmer until it overflows, which is considered a symbol of prosperity. This rich and flavorful dish is often served with a variety of chutneys and sambar. The bubbling over of the Pongal while cooking signifies abundance and good fortune.
Delicious Puran Poli
Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread popular in Maharashtra, frequently enjoyed during festive occasions, including Makar Sankranti. It's made with a filling of sweet lentils (chana dal), jaggery, and spices, stuffed inside a wheat flour dough. This dish is usually served with ghee or milk, adding extra richness to the flavors. The soft, sweet filling complements the slightly crispy outer layer of the bread. It is a symbol of prosperity and is often offered to guests.
Til Gur Chikki
Til Gur Chikki, is a sweet candy made from sesame seeds and jaggery, particularly popular during Makar Sankranti. This simple yet satisfying treat offers a satisfying crunch and sweet taste. The combination of sesame seeds and jaggery is known to be a warming one, ideal during the winter. It’s easy to make, typically involving roasting sesame seeds, melting jaggery, combining them, and then setting the mixture to cool. These are typically cut into square or rectangular shapes.
The Cozy Ghugra
Ghugra is a fried sweet pastry, filled with a mixture of nuts, dried fruits, and coconut, and often flavored with cardamom. This dish is similar to a dumpling and a delightful treat during Makar Sankranti. The outer layer is crispy while the filling has a unique flavor and texture. The preparation involves making a dough, filling it with a sweet mixture, and then deep-frying it until golden brown. It’s a celebratory dish that brings people together.
Jalebi: The Sweet Staple
Jalebi, a popular Indian sweet, is often enjoyed during Makar Sankranti. It's made by deep-frying a batter of fermented batter in circular shapes, then soaking them in sugar syrup. This process makes it crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside. Whether enjoyed on its own or with other sweets, jalebi offers a sweet and satisfying experience. These sweets are perfect for sharing the festive spirit and marking the special occasion.
