Hariyal Teej, celebrated in the month of Sawan as per the Hindu calendar, is one of the most famous and awaited festivals in India. Devoting to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, many Indians observe a fast and dress in green to celebrate the auspicious festival. But even you would agree that no festivities are complete without traditional food.
While there are many food items prepared during the Sawan, keeping in mind the dietary restrictions for people who are fasting, sweets are something that can be enjoyed by everyone. If you are planning to commemorate Teej, why don’t you do it by making some authentic Indian desserts at home? Here are some traditional sweets that you must try this Hariyali Teej.
Ghevar
Ghevar is the quintessential Indian sweet that is synonymous to the month of Sawan or Hariyali Teej. Originating from the historically rich state of Rajasthan, ghevar is a honeycomb-like dessert that has many deep-fried layers put together and then infused with cardamom and soaked in sugar syrup. While you can eat it as is, rabri ghevar is one of the most popular and indulgent dessert varieties.
Malpua
If you love the English pancakes, you’re going to love the authentic Indian malpua. Made by deep-frying small portions of a batter consisting of flour, sugar, milk, and ghee, malpua is a Teej-special sweet enjoyed all across the country. Once you get the golden brown malpuas after deep-frying, they are then dipped in a sugar syrup (chaashni) and served with a few spoons of the same sweet mixture.
Kheer
Kheer is another popular Indian dessert that is made in almost all parts of the country but has different regional names like Payasam, Payesh, Ksheeram, Doodhpak, etc. The simple yet utterly delicious can be made by simmering milk, rice, and sugar. The milk pudding can be spiced with cardamom and saffron. Usually garnished with a generous amount of chopped dry fruits, kheer is a super indulgent dessert served for Hariyali Teej.
Basundi
Basundi is a thick and creamy dessert that is usually made to mark important festivals or events in Indian households. You can easily make it at home by simmering milk till it thickens. Sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, it is often served with chopped nuts like almonds, cashew nuts, and pistachios. Especially for Teej, it is mostly paired with ghevar or malpua.
Meetha Puda
For people who want to make a comforting dessert in bulk, meetha puda is just the right option. The Indian treat can be made for a sweet breakfast, a quick snack, or as a filling dessert. The best part about making meetha puda is that it is super easy and quick to whip up. All you need to do is make a consistent batter with wheat flour, sugar, milk, and cardamom. Cook in batches with generous ghee till it’s golden brown, and serve with jaggery.