The cold weather during the winter season increases our appetite and we feel like eating a lot of delicious food. The kind of food prepared in different regions of India during winter depends on the food preferences of the people and the locally available ingredients. These two factors have given rise to the popularity of a lot of regional delicacies prepared in different states and cities of India. Knowing these delicacies allows us to explore various spectrums of food and please our taste buds. Today we will take you through 5 such winter foods that are specifically prepared during the chilly months of November to March.
Also Read: Winter Diet: Food Habits To Stay Healthy
* Malaiyo Of Banaras
Malaiyo is a delicious sweet gem from Varanasi which is also called Banaras and Kashi. People who have been to Banaras know the fanaticism around this sweet winter delicacy among the locals and all the tourists who visit the place. Malaiyo is a flavoured milk froath that is garnished with a lot of pistachios and almonds. This is served in a small earthen bowl and has subtle flavours of saffron. It is lightless sweet and also has flavours of cardamom. The texture of this sweet delicacy is very foamy and light. It is almost like eating clouds. This dish is exclusively available in Varanasi from November till the first week of March. You will find this abundantly available in various shops.
* Undhiyu
Undhiyu is one of the most loved Gujarati dishes and is also known as the king of Gujarati cuisine. The word Undhiyu is derived from the Gujarati word Undhu which simply translates into inverted. This is because this dish is made in a special type of clay pot that has an inverted shape. The origin of this dish can be traced to Surat and its nearby cities. It is believed that it was first made in that area after which it became popular in the whole Gujarat. This is a seasonal dish that is available on the Southern coastline of Gujarat, including areas like Surat, Navsari and Valsad. Although you can make it at home during any time of the year, it is specifically made during the winter season because of the availability of green vegetables that are used to prepare this dish.
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* Pinni
Winters in Punjabi households are synonymous with Pinnis. Pinni can be made with moong dal, urad dal and wheat flour. These pinni also contain a lot of mixed nuts, sesame seeds and ajwain. It is also made using Desi ghee which is why it is very nutritious during the winter season. It gives the needed warmth to the body during cold winter months and also helps in fighting any external bacteria or viruses. Pinnis can be sweetened with the help of white sugar or jaggery as per one's choice. The best part about making pinnis at home is they have a long shelf life and you don't even have to store them in refrigerators.
Just keep them in a cool place and store them in airtight containers. You can enjoy your homemade food for the whole winter season. Because of so many dense and heavy ingredients used in the making of a pinni, it is more appropriate to have it during the winter season.
* Nolen Gurer, Payesh From Bengal
This is a famous Bengali condiment that is exclusively cooked during the winter season and is often perceived as a gift from Mother Nature. It is cooked using palm jaggery that is added to make desserts taste as if it is a nectar from the heavens above. Palm jaggery is called Nolen Gurer in Bengali. This dish is made by boiling some rice and milk together. The milk is heated until its quantity reduces to half and it gets a thicker consistency. Then to add sweetness, palm jaggery is added to the rice pudding. This variety of jaggery is used in making a lot of special Bengali desserts. It adds a mellow sweet taste to whatever dish you decide to add it in.
* Milagu Rasam
Rasam is already a very popular delicacy from the Southern part of India. It is like a thick soup that is enjoyed with some hot rice. Your conventional Rasam consists of a lot of fresh vegetables and authentic South Indian spices. During the winter season, a different approach is taken to cook the winter variety of Rasam called Milagu Rasam. The seasonally available vegetables along with spices like cumin, pepper and Rasam powder are used to make this dish. It is also popularly known as Pepper Rasam.
The infusion of different ingredients is what makes all of these dishes so special and delectable. Winter is the right time to enjoy these delicacies in their best possible form and you should give them a try.