Diwali is a festival that is celebrated in nearly every corner of India. This year Diwali will be celebrated on 14th November 2020. Dubbed as the 'Festival of Lights', Diwali truly unites people from different backgrounds over festivities that begin on Dhanteras and go on till Bhai Dooj. Celebrations are not restricted to northern states like Delhi, Punjab and Haryana and western states like Gujarat and Maharashtra only, southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala too participate in the festivities with great fervour. The traditions and rituals may be slightly different, but the extent of revelry and excitement around Diwali is a national phenomenon! In India, food is irrevocably entwined with every festival we celebrate. And, when it comes to Diwali, the first thing that comes to mind is sweets and a whole lot of savoury snacks. Popular mithais and snacks that take over the sweet shops are kaju katli, soan papdi, kesar halwa, boondi ladoo, aloo tikki, papdi chaat, namak pare to name a few. The southern states too have many signature foods enjoyed around this time. Here are 5 dishes prepared and relished around Diwali in our southern states:
Also Read: Diwali 2020: Date, Time, Significance Of Deepavali Puja And Festive Recipes To Try
Diwali 2020: Here Are 5 South Indian Sweets And Snacks You Can Try This Diwali
1. Teepi Gavvalu
Teepi Gavvalu is a traditional Andhra dessert, which is prepared during Diwali. In Telugu, teepi gavvalu literally means 'sweet shells'. The dessert is made of all-purpose flour (maida), ghee and little water. These pretty shell-shaped curls are deep-fried and dipped in sweet sugar syrup or mixed with jaggery powder. It is sure to be loved by kids and adults alike.
2. Deepawali Marundhu
Deepawali Marandhu, also known as legiya, is a famous Tamil delicacy that is not only known for its yummy sweet taste, but also for its amazing health properties. As we indulge in a lot of sweet and heavy foods on Diwali, this dish helps digest all of that and make sure our stomach is at ease. It is basically a concoction made of ingredients like carom seeds, poppy seeds, dry ginger, dry grapes, honey, jaggery, nuts, ghee and more.
Also Read: 10 Quick Diwali Sweets Recipes
3. Thenkuzhal Murukku
Diwali feast is incomplete without crispy and crunchy Thenkuzhal Murukku in Tamil Nadu. The word 'thenkuzhal' literally translates to 'tubes of honey'. Thenkuzhal Murukku is a savoury snack, which is prepared on Krishna Jayanthi or Diwali. The snack is made in bigger scale as it stays good for up to two to three weeks. It is mainly prepared with rice flour and urad dal flour, which are mixed together and then roasted on low flame for 2 -3 minutes. Post Diwali, you can pair this crunchy snack with your evening tea.
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4. Paniyaram
One of the most popular South Indian dishes, Paniyaram is made with leftover or over-fermented idli, dosa batter. Paniyaram is fluffy and chewy on the inside. The leftover batter is sweetened with some jaggery along with coconut and cardamom. You can also make savoury paniyarams. It is known by different names- Kuzhi paniyaram or Paddu/GuLiyappa/Yeriyappa or Gunta Ponganalu.
5. Mysore Bonda
Crisp from outside and fluffy from inside, Mysore Bonda is a light snack served on festivals and parties in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is made with urad dal flour, yogurt and spices and has a stuffing of mashed potato or mixed vegetables. Mysore Bonda is best paired with spicy coconut chutney and sambar.