Irresistible Jaggery Desserts Prepared Across India During Harvest Festivals

The mid of January is a carnival across India where communities come together to celebrate harvest festivals - Pongal (South India), Makar Sankranti (North India), Lohri (Punjab), and Magh Bihu (Assam and other northeastern states). People prepare feasts as they celebrate the end of the winter solstice.

Among many delicacies, warm and irresistible sweets are also prepared at home, especially using jaggery. They are healthy, loaded with nuts, and aid in boosting immunity. If you are also hosting a gathering this year, check out jaggery-based desserts prepared across India and pick the ones that are your favourites.

Ellu Bella

The celebration of Makar Sankranti and Pongal in Karnataka calls for the preparation of a unique but lip-smacking sweet called ellu bella. It is a blend of jaggery, coconut, sesame seeds, and peanuts. The dish is shared among community members symbolising harmony among people from all walks of life. 

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Also Read: Chefs Share Traditional Recipes For The Harvest Festival

Tilkut 

In Bihar and Jharkhand, people make tilkut while celebrating harvest festivals. It is a crunchy delight made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It offers warmth to the body, pleases your palate, and makes for a perfect dessert to be served at the end of the festive meal. You can also store it in a jar and hand it out to guests just like cookie boxes.

Chikki

In Gujarat and Maharashtra, chikki is prepared around this time. It is a winter special decadent that people like to savour after meals, especially lunch or dinner. This sweet delight is usually prepared with crushed peanuts mixed with melted jaggery. The blend is left aside to set before cutting it into various shapes and sizes. It is also quintessential to the celebration of Makar Sankranti.

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Patishapta

People in West Bengal celebrate Makar Sankranti by making patishapta, a jaggery-based sweet. It comprises nuttiness from coconut, and the crepe-like structure melts in the mouth. In some households, these desi crepes are also stuffed with different kinds of irresistible filling, making it the most south-after dessert on the festive spread.

Payasam

Payasam is prepared across Kerala to celebrate Pongal. Harvested rice grains are cooked in a hearty and aromatic blend of jaggery and milk. It’s a porridge that completes the festive meals and brings everyone in the family together. It is also a sacred dish which is often prepared on auspicious and special occasions.

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Ariselu

If you have been to Telangana and have not tried ariselu, you have missed out on tasting an amazing dish. During the celebration of Makar Sankranti, people prepare this delight by combining sesame seeds, rice flour, and some dry fruits (optional). It is served along with other regional delicacies during gatherings and celebrations.

Pitha

Assam and Odisha have pitha as a part of the festive spread. This regional creation has garnered many fans across India for this unique taste and satisfactory indulgent experience. Pitha is like a rice flour pancake which is stuffed with a drool-worthy filling of coconut and jaggery. There are many variations to the recipe that showcase the culinary heritage of the two states.

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