Share
Independence Day is a time of national pride and unity, and what better way to celebrate than through the diverse flavours of Indian cuisine? As the tricolour flag waves high, let's embrace the spirit of unity in diversity by preparing a spread of quick and delightful tri-colour Independence Day snacks that represent the three colours of our national flag. From North to South and East to West, these snacks reflect the richness and variety of Indian culinary heritage.
Here are seven snacks from different parts of India that you can add to your Independence Day snack spread and enjoy the true flavours of India.
Tricolour Paneer Tikka
Recipe - Continental Desi Kitchen CDK
Start your Independence Day celebrations by preparing tricolour paneer tikka skewers, paying an ode to our tricolour flag. As cliché as it sounds to make a tri-colour dish, it does make the Independence Day celebrations interesting and patriotic. Marinate cubes of paneer in three distinct marinades: a tomato and red chilli-based marinade for a spicy kick; a curd-based one with malai; and a mint and coriander marinade for a refreshing touch. Thread the paneer cubes onto skewers in the order of the tricolour flag and grill them to perfection. And to make it even better, you can also serve it with three different dips: a green dhaniya dip, an orange tandoori dip, and a white curd dip.
Dhokla
Dhokla, a steamed snack from Gujarat, is the perfect sweet-savoury combination that you will enjoy. This spongy, mildly spiced, and fermented dish is made from fermented gram flour and is both light and, at the same time, healthy and tasty. The spongy and savoury besan, with the spicy tempering, and finally a light sugar syrup for sweetness—this one dish symbolises the harmonious coexistence of different cultures within India, much like many other dishes native to our country. Add a tri-colour twist to it by making three different batters: with sooji, spinach, and carrots! It increases the nutritional value of the dish too!
Three-Layer Tricolour Sandwiches
Give the classic sandwich a tricolour twist by layering it with different fillings. Spread a saffron-hued carrot and beetroot mixture on one slice, a thick, creamy, white layer of cream cheese on another, and a green layer of spinach pesto on the third. Assemble the slices to form a tricolour sandwich tower. Slice into smaller portions and start your Independence Day celebrations with a dish that is the perfect ode to the colours of our flag.
Bread Pakora
A beloved street food, bread pakora represents the familiar flavours of home while embodying the diverse colours of the Indian flag. Create a tricolour twist by preparing three different fillings for your bread pakoras. For the saffron layer, stuff with potato mixture, spiced with red chilli powder and tomato; for the white, use paneer; and for the green, a thick mint-coriander chutney is the best bet. Coat them in besan flour batter and deep-fry until golden. This fusion snack is sure to please both your eyes and taste buds.
Khandvi
Another snack from Gujarat, rolled-up khandvi is super delicious and easy to convert into a tri-colour delicacy. Prepare three different batters: one with normal besan and dahi batter, one infused with sadfron or orange food colouring, and the final with a spinach paste. Avoid food colouring if you have natural ingredients available. Cut the khandvi into bite-sized pieces and serve these perfect snacks.
Idli
Elevate your Independence Day celebrations with tricolour idlis. Craft a beautiful orange carrot batter, a white traditional batter with rice, and a vibrant green spinach batter. Steam these three different idli moulds. While serving them, arrange the idlis to mirror the Indian flag's colours. These visually striking idlis pay homage to unity in diversity while offering a wholesome treat. Serve with chutneys and sambar to savour the patriotic spirit with each bite.
Tri-Colour Laddoos
For something sweet, you can always count on our very own laddoos. Make one batch of beautiful orange motichoor laddoo. Another batch of pristine white coconut laddoo and another few pista flavoured green laddoos. These delicious desserts can be your own little tribute to the sweet taste of Independence that our country tasted after years of struggle.
From the tricolour paneer tikka representing unity to the diverse array of snacks spanning regions and cultures, this Independence Day spread is a true reflection of the richness and variety that define Indian cuisine. As you indulge in these snacks, remember that every bite represents the unity in diversity that makes India truly unique.
