Goa is one of the most popular travel destinations in India. With a pleasant weather, happening nightlife, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood, the coastal state is also known as the Ibiza of India. There are no two ways about Goan seafood. From kingfish curry to shark ambot tik, the state is a paradise for food lovers.
But what gets missed out amidst these delicious treats are the traditional desserts of Goa. Most of them are prepared during festivals and relished on special occasions. Coconut, particularly coconut milk, is an essential ingredient in most Goan desserts along with jaggery and Goan red rice which are also added to these sweet meats.
So, if you are planning to visit Goa any time soon, do not forget to try these decadent desserts.
1. Bebinca
Popularly known as the queen of Goan desserts, this Indo- Portuguese cake is prepared only with five ingredients which are, plain flour, sugar, ghee, egg yolk and coconut milk. The traditional bebinca has seven to 16 layers but it can be modified as per convenience and taste. This multi-layered dessert is garnished with almond silvers and served with vanilla ice cream, a heavenly combination that you cannot refuse.
2. Kulkuls
These golden brown, buttery and crunchy sweets are specially made during Christmas. Dipped in sugar syrup, kulkuls are deep-fried, curl-shaped concoctions that are made with starch. If, by any chance you are planning your trip during Christmas, do try these cute, crispy and moreish desserts.
3. Kokad
Also known as Cocada, this dessert melts as soon as you put it in the mouth. This is also a popular Christmas sweet of Goa, which is made with semolina and coconut. Often paired with hot chocolate, this burfi cum cookie is also relished in other parts of the country.
4. Perad
Made with just guava, sugar, butter and lemon., this dish is extremely soft and often referred to as guava cheese. It is reddish brown in color and is often paired with toast to eat for breakfast when not fully cooked. This classic Goan sweet is popular among locals during Christmas due to its soft, chewy and mesmerizing taste.
5. Patoleo
Made by spreading rice paste over turmeric leaf and stuffed with jaggery, this dessert is popularly eaten during monsoon. This unique, soft and aromatic dessert also has the flavour of coconut just like other Goan desserts. It is super healthy and very delicious. Patoleo serves as an important dish during festivals like Shravan, Nag Panchami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Christmas in the western coast of India.
6. Channa Doss
Just like other Goan sweets, it also requires very few ingredients, but a lot of patience and rigorous stirring. Made with gram dal, coconut, sugar and ghee, channa doss is a traditional burfi made in a few minutes.
So, enjoy the beach and nightlife of Goa with your friends but don’t forget to take out time for these traditional sweets.