Diwali, the festival of lights, is the largest and the most popular Indian festival, and almost everyone in the country awaits it. Celebrated by lighting the houses with diyas and fairy lights, filling the floors with colourful rangolis, and making traditional mithai, Diwali has its own charm. If you, too, make homemade sweets and desserts to serve the guests, for bhog, or to simply relish yourself, coconut is a go-to ingredient that you can use.
The tropical ingredient is a staple in many Indian households, especially in southern parts of the country, where it's grown on a large scale. Coconut’s sweet and creamy flavours can be beautifully incorporated to make mouth-melting Diwali mithai. From the staple coconut ladoos to adding it to simmered kheer, here’s how you can make traditional desserts with coconut.
Coconut Ladoo
Coconut ladoo is often the highlight of Diwali mithai. The bite-sized sweets are not only mouth-melting but can also be made with simple ingredients. To make it at home, you can start by grating the flesh of the coconut and slightly sauteeing it in ghee to enhance its aroma. You can then mix it with condensed milk and some sugar or jaggery. After you get a consistent mixture, you can shape it into small balls, garnish with nuts, and serve.
Nariyal Peda
Nariyal peda is a soft and chewy mithali which is made with milk solids, or khoya. Start by simmering milk or coconut milk with sugar or jaggery. Then, add in grated coconut and khoya to make a smooth dough. Next, take small portions of the mixture and shape them into pedas. Finally, you can garnish the mithai with chopped pistachios.
Coconut Kheer
Kheer or payasam is another Indian dessert that is often made in households across the country for a festival, special occasion, or just to enjoy something sweet after a meal. To celebrate Diwali, you can add a flavour of the tropical fruit to the usual ingredients – rice, milk, and sugar. Once you get the desired consistency, garnish with shredded coconut and chopped dry fruits and nuts.
Coconut Chikki
Chikki is a popular Indian treat that is known for its brittle texture. To give it a hint of tropical flavour this Diwali, you can make take toasted coconut and mix it with melted jaggery or sugar. You can also add peanuts or your favourite dry fruits. After you get a well-combined mixture, spread it on a greased surface and let it cool. Then, break it into pieces and serve homemade chikki.
Nariyal Barfi
Coconut or nariyal barfi is a great way to use fresh coconut to make mithai for Diwali. Also, it’s easy to make and not to mention, super tasty. All you need to do is cook grated coconut with ghee, sugar, milk, and dry fruits and nuts. After the barfi is made, you can garnish it with coconut flakes to make it irresistible.