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When winter arrives, India's food environment shifts to include nutritious, rich desserts that not only attract the palate but also comfort the soul. A wide variety of traditional Indian sweets, frequently created with locally obtained ingredients, including fresh vegetables, sesame seeds, and jaggery, are synonymous with winter in India. Part of the holiday dishes and other family meetings, these delicious warm dishes reflect emotions of memories and happiness. North India's fragrant Gajar Ka Halwa and West Bengal's delicious Patishapta are just two examples of the distinctive desserts that each area has to offer, each of which reflects its own culinary tradition. The warmth of Indian hospitality is embodied by these sweets, which are frequently made with affection and shared with loved ones.
Gur Ke Chawal (Punjab)
Jaggery rice, also known as Gur Ke Chawal, is a delicious Punjabi traditional delicacy that is very popular in the winter. One cup of basmati rice should first be cleaned until the water runs clear before being soaked for around half an hour to make Gur Ke Chawal. Melt 1 cup of jaggery and a small amount of water in a heavy-bottomed pot until a syrup develops. Add two cups of water, the soaked rice, and a pinch of salt to the pot. Reduce the heat and cook until the rice is fluffy and completely absorbed. Add ghee and garnish with chopped cashews and almonds, along with an addition of cardamom, to make the dish even better.
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Patishapta (West Bengal)
A classic Bengali dessert that is especially popular in the winter is patishapta. Patishapta is prepared to honour harvest celebrations like Poush Mela and is often consumed on special occasions. In order to make Patishapta, begin by preparing the crepe batter by combining rice flour, all-purpose flour, water, and a bit of salt until the mixture is smooth. Heat the grated coconut, khoya, and jaggery together to melt the jaggery and create a thick paste for the filling. Pour a ladleful of batter into a heated nonstick pan and spread it out into a thin pancake. Fold the pancake over after adding a dollop of the coconut filling in the middle. Garnish with powdered sugar or condensed milk and serve warm.
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Tilgul Ladoo (Maharashtra)
A popular Maharashtrian treat, tilgul ladoo is prepared to honour the harvest during the Makar Sankranti holiday. Sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gul), which represent the value of health and prosperity in the upcoming year, are used to make this delicious treat. One cup of sesame seeds should be dry roasted till golden in order to create Tilgul Ladoo. Melt 1 cup of jaggery with a small amount of water in a different pan until it becomes soft and ball-like. Mix the jaggery syrup and roasted sesame seeds together until everything is combined. Before forming the mixture into tiny, spherical balls, let it cool slightly.
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Gajar Ka Halwa (North India)
Carrot halwa, or Gajar Ka Halwa, is a traditional Indian delicacy that is especially popular in the winter when carrots are in season. Halwa is specifically a celebration dish and is perfect for winter because of the use of spices and nuts. Grate 1 kg of fresh carrots to start making Gajar Ka Halwa. In another pan, pour one litre of full-fat milk and heat this milk until it starts boiling. It should boil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Cook until the milk thickens and reduces, then add the grated carrots. Add 1 cup sugar, ½ cup khoya, and ½ cup ghee and stir. As you heat the halwa, stir thoroughly and let it caramelise a little. Add cardamom powder and chopped nuts as a finishing touch.
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Moong Dal Halwa (Rajasthan)
A rich and delicious Rajasthani dessert that's ideal for winter is moong dal halwa. It is prepared mostly at family reunions and other happy moments and the emphasis is on how food is prepared through the authentic Rajasthani way. One cup of yellow moong dal should first be soaked in water for a few hours before making Moong Dal Halwa. Drain after soaking, then smash into a rough paste. Heat ½ cup of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan, then add the ground moong dal and roast it until golden brown. Add 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water gradually, stirring thoroughly until thickened. Next, add some chopped almonds, cardamom powder, and 1 cup of sugar. Continue stirring till the consistency of the halwa is what you want.
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Pinni (Punjab)
Pinni is another popular dessert preparation in Punjab, which is enjoyed mostly during winter and this dish is very healthy also. This dessert is a favourite in the winter months since it is full of ingredients that give you energy. In a skillet with ½ cup of ghee, toast 2 cups of whole wheat flour until golden brown. This is the first step in making pinni. Melt one cup of jaggery with a small amount of water in a separate pan and let it turn into syrup. After the flour is fragrant and toasted, combine it with the jaggery syrup and add chopped walnuts, cashews, and almonds. Shape the ingredients into tiny, spherical balls after letting them cool slightly.
Khejur Gurer Payesh (West Bengal)
Made with rice, milk, and jaggery, Khejur Gurer Payesh is a delicious Bengali dish that perfectly reflects winter celebrations. First, make Khejur Gurer Payesh by boiling one litre of milk in a saucepan with a heavy bottom. Cook until the rice is tender and the milk thickens, then add 1 cup of rinsed gobindobhog rice, a fragrant short-grain rice variety. Next, add ½ cup of khejur gur (date palm jaggery) and 1 cup of grated khoya. In order to allow the jaggery to melt and give the pudding its distinct flavour, stir thoroughly and cook for a few more minutes. Serve warm or cold, garnished with freshly grated coconut or nuts.
Doodh Barfi (Punjab)
The main ingredients of doodh barfi, a traditional Indian dessert, are milk, sugar, and cardamom. In Punjab, this burfi-like sweet is the traditional sweet of winter festivals and the cold season. Boil one litre of full-fat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan to make Doodh Barfi. Stir the milk until it thickens, then add ½ cup of sugar as it reduces. To achieve a smooth texture, thoroughly mix in a pinch of cardamom powder and ½ cup of khoya. Pour the mixture onto a greased plate and use a spatula to flatten it uniformly after it reaches the required consistency. Before cutting it into diamond or square shapes, let it cool. For a pretty finish, add almond or pistachio slivers as a garnish.
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Whether you're enjoying a sweet snack by the fireplace or celebrating with family, winter is the ideal season to indulge in delicious sweets. Exploring more about Indian desserts makes us discuss happy incidences or our Indian traditions. Enjoy these tasty foods that are associated with the Indian winter season!
