By Devi Poojari
November 22, 2023
Image Credit: Goa.me
While the Catholic communities in Goa are renowned for their rich cuisine that draws from the many influences of the state, Christmas sweets are a grand affair that showcase a vast variety of colours, textures and ingredients. The Goan Christmas platter – or Kuswar – is loaded with delicious treats that deserve their moment in the spotlight.
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A crunchy confection made with flour, sugar and milk – the kulkuls are one of the most widely consumed and popular sweets associated with the festivals.
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A fudgy, jelly-like sweet made with coconut milk and jaggery, the dodol has a deep caramel flavour and loaded with cashew nuts – making it decadent and delicious.
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What most of us know as guava cheese, perad is a quintessential Goan sweet that is made by slow cooking the pulp from fresh guavas, until it develops a chewy consistency similar to toffee.
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Also known as baath, this traditional coconut cake is a fluffy sponge cake made with semolina and flavoured with cardamom.
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Although largely associated with Easter, marzipans are the colourful sweets that come in various shapes, which are especially enjoyed during Christmas – on their own or as edible decorations for cakes.
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This three-ingredient treat made with cashew powder, milk and sugar is a classic sweet for the Goan and East Indian communities; and moulded into various shapes.
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A layer cake made with coconut milk, eggs, sugar and ghee, this popular Goan dessert finds a pride of place in the Christmas sweets platter.
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