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Dabeli
Dabeli translates to ‘pressed’. With origins in Kutch, it is a salty, spicy snack that uses pav buns and a mashed potato filling that has been spiced with chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander. On top of the filling go peanuts, pomegranate seeds, sev and tangy chutneys. Dabeli is a popular street food in Gujarat that’s found at most stalls. These days, it can also be found in other Indian cities and even at restaurants abroad.
Khandvi
Also known as patuli and suralichi vadi, Khandvi is a popular Gujarati snack that is made using a batter of gram flour, yogurt or buttermilk, and turmeric. The batter is cooked and then sheets of it are rolled and cut into small pieces. It is served with a tadka of mustard seeds and curry leaves, garnished with chopped coriander and shredded coconut. Khandvi may be eaten hot or cold, and goes well with spicy chutneys.
Khichu
The word ‘khichu’ has been derived from the supple nature of the dough, since ‘khinch’ means to pull. It refers to rice flour dough that is used for making papad, but it may also be eaten as a snack because it’s very tasty. It is made by preparing a batter with rice flour, water and spices that is similar to the consistency of mashed potatoes, and then steaming it. Khichu is usually served with coriander, chilli powder and oil.
Handvo
Handvo is like a savoury Gujarati cake made with vegetables, rice and lentils. Bottle gourd is a commonly used vegetable in making handvo. To make the dish, ground lentils and rice are mixed with yogurt or buttermilk and then left to ferment for a few hours. After this, grated vegetables are mixed into the batter and cooked. The tadka for handvo uses sesame seeds and mustard seeds. Eat the snack with chutneys or pickle.
Dudhi na muthiya
A healthy, steamed snack, dudhi na muthiya uses grated bottle gourd, rice, wheat flour and gram flour. All the ingredients, including spices like hing, chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder, are used to form a dough. The dough is rolled into cylinders, and then steamed. Once cooled, the steamed dough is cut into small pieces that are easy to eat. It is served garnished with coriander.
Ganthiya
A deep-fried snack made with chickpea flour, ganthiya is served as an accompaniment with tea. It is tender and puffy, unlike other fried snacks that tend to be crunchy. Bhavnagar in Gujarat is known for the variety of ganthiya it has to offer, which includes mitha or sweet ganthiya. Savoury ganthiya may be flavoured with red chilli powder. Street stalls across Gujarat sell the snack and it is especially popular during Diwali.
