Diwali, popularly known as the festival of light, is widely celebrated all over India and the world. Diwali is celebrated to symbolize the victory of good over evil and welcoming success and happiness in everyone’s life. It is a time of joyful moments and celebrations with our families and friends. Preparing and distributing homemade dishes such as Roasted Fox Nuts, Samosa, Baked Chickpeas, Namak Pare is representation of love and care for our loved ones.
In today's fast-paced era, packed foods and takeaway options are readily available, and many do take up that option for convenience and ease during the festive season. And yet, the importance of homemade dishes cannot be ignored. Preparing homemade festive foods allows you to prepare or customise the treats for your guests as per your taste and preferences.
Video Credit: YouTube/Hebbars Kitchen
Further, homemade sweets prepared by the family during Diwali also plays an important role in Indian tradition and culture. Preparing homemade sweet and exchanging it with our loved ones is considered auspicious. Sharing sweets signifies strengthening of relationship, building of goodwill, offering gratitude to the gods.
Here are a couple of reasons why making homemade snacks, sweets and other dishes during Indian festivals like Diwali should matter.
1. Cost Effective Celebrations: Many households prepare sweets and meals at home saving good amount of money, and this specially makes sense as most Diwali snacks and sweets are quite easy to make and their ingredients are easily available too. Making these snacks and sweets like Besan Ladoo, Pista Barfi, Nimki and Jalebi at home can also eliminate extra charges for packaging, delivery, etc also.
2. Create Moments Of Joy: Cooking snacks such as Namak Pare, Samose, Chakli, etc with family members and loved ones can help you bond during a festive occasion and spread more joy around food. The fact is that Indian festivals are more about togetherness and relishing Indian favourites is a key part of these celebrations.
3. Healthier Choice: Homemade festive foods allow us to have the benefit of preservative-free dishes which you can tailor according to your choices and health needs, which matters especially for those loved ones who are unwell or elderly. From home-cooked oil-free samosa to homemade roasted dry fruits and nuts laddoos, these treats are chemical and guilt-free.
4. Deeply Rooted In Culinary Culture: Whether it is Diwali, Eid or any other festival, Indian culinary culture is deeply rooted around the idea of homemade delights and the tradition of passing down family recipes for dishes. Passed down from generation to generation, the value of these festive dishes is too important in terms of traditions to be completely replaced with readymade or store-bought foods.
5. Sustainable And No-Waste Celebrations: When we cook Diwali dishes in our own kitchens, there is no wastage because traditionally, Indian culinary culture focuses on sustainability. With a focus on storing leftovers to making everything in bigger batches to last beyond the festive season, Indian families tend to create sustainable, no-waste festive dishes that don’t just evoke joy and togetherness but also think ahead about the future.
Conclusion
Homemade Diwali and other festive dishes such as Coconut Barfi, Ragi Halwa, Ladoo, etc hold a special place in our hearts. These food items are connected with our culinary culture, tradition and familial environment. Preparing these dishes together is not only pocket-friendly and healthier but also brings love, care, joy and happiness. So, as Diwali approaches, let us spread the magic of homemade Diwali dishes and celebrate this festival by initiating one good step from home.