Gujarati cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most popular culinary traditions in India, with delicacies from the state being served at different restaurants around the world too. Foodies love to indulge in dhokla, pathra, samosa and fafda among other snacks and dishes. Gujarati thalis are a class apart. Apart from the snacks mentioned above, the state’s traditional food platter also features desserts like Mohan thal, jalebi and doodh pak, which are made from pulses or whole beans. However, the true essence of Gujarati cuisine lies in the innovative use of common vegetables and mild spices. It’s an excellent combination of flavours, with sweet undertones dominating most dishes such as Gujarati kadhi, dhokla and fafda. The state’s climate is mostly hot and dry, and so people there include tomatoes and lemon in their diet to stay hydrated. Another distinguishing feature of Gujarati cuisine is the mouthwatering blend of sweet and sour flavours. The state is famous for its snacks that go well with the evening tea. These snacks are usually light and less spicy.
Here are a few Gujarati snacks that can pair perfectly with your evening tea
Handvo
A savoury vegetable cake, Handvo is a traditional Gujarati snack which is commonly cooked with a bottle gourd filling but can also be made with a variety of other vegetables. Crushed peanuts are sometimes used as well. Handvo batter is made using rice and a variety of lentils that have been rinsed, dried and pulverised. To make a fermented batter, the pulses are mixed with yoghurt. Instead of rice, moong dal or chana dal can be used to make handvo. It's often served with pickles or tea.
Khandvi
Also known as patuli, dahiwadi or suralichi vadi, khandvi is a savoury snack popular in Maharashtrian and Gujarati cuisines. It's mostly made using gram flour and yoghurt and comes in yellowish, tightly rolled bite-sized pieces. Khandvi is widely available in India and is often consumed as an appetiser or snack. It is sometimes served with garlic chutney. Soft khandvi with a cup of tea is all you need for your evening tea time.
Dhebra
A famous Gujarati deep-fried snack made with bajra flour and methi, dhebra goes well with yoghurt, coriander mint chutney and pickles. To make dhebra, mix millet flour with enough water and salt to make a dough. The dough balls are then flattened to a spherical shape on a chakla with a belan (rolling pin). The dhebra is then brushed with vegetable oil on both sides and cooked on a tava until small brown spots emerge. This snack is very easy to make and complements chai perfectly.
Fafda
A popular Gujarati snack, fafda is served with green chutney and salted green chillies. This fried, crispy and crunchy snack is made with besan. It can also be used as a breakfast option or a teatime snack. These are crisp yet soft and they melt on your tongue as you eat them. These are perfect crispy snacks that can be enjoyed with evening tea.
Ganthiya
A chickpea flour-based deep-fried Indian snack, ganthiya is another tea-time favourite not only in Gujarat but throughout India. Like most other Indian snacks, they are sometimes soft and not always crunchy. Ganthiya is my favourite Gujarati snack that can be enjoyed with tea and fried green chillies.