Firstly a belated Poush sankranti, Lohri, Pongal and Bihu to
all my co bloggers and readers from all across the world. I was away to Goa for
a much needed vacation and could not post a recipe for quite some time.
However wanted to start with a sweet dish for this occasion.
Now coming back to the sankranti festival, it’s that part of the
year when the farmers harvest the winter crops throughout India and celebrate
in various ways depending upon which part of India you are from. For instance
in Bengal we people celebrate Sankranti by preparing a kind of sweet pancakes
with coconut mixed with jaggery fillings called Pitha /Pithe. And since market is full of palm jaggery this time around so couldn't miss it adding in today's preparation. This day also signifies
the receding of the winter and proceeding towards spring. So by praying to the
Almighty that wherever you are, you have a prosperous and happy outcome in
whatever endevour you take up.
There is a saying in Bengal that you can take a Bengali out of Bengal but you can never take Bengal out of a Bengali. More so in two occasions once during Durga Puja and another during Poush Sankranti. Since many times I have narrated about Pujas so let me write a bit about the cuisines that are part and parcel of Sankranti. The main dessert is the Pithe or rice cake which forms a sweet delicacy of the celebration. I remember that during my childhood days we eagerly used to peek inside the kitchen to check out when the sweet is ready. Pithe / Pitha are of different types: Puli malpuas etc. But the best part is to savour them in a winter evening with family and friends and have a great time chatting together.
Some more Sankranti Special Sweets from past are
2 ripe Bananas
1/2 cup All purpose flour
3 tbsp Palm Jaggery /Nolen Gur
Handful of Cashews
1/4 tsp Baking powder
A pinch of Salt
Little bit of water
Oil for frying
Method:
Cut a mixing bowl and roughly chop the bananas, add jaggery and mix thoroughly. Pour flour, salt and baking soda and mix well with your hand. Make a nice batter by mixing all the ingredients and add cashews. Though we have added jaggery but still taste for sweetness, adjust if you need more.
Now heat oil in a pan and add a drop of batter in hot oil, if it floats on top as soon as you drop it then the oil temperature is correct.
Drop a little batter into hot oil (maximum 2-3 at the same time), deep fry, flipping them after about 30 seconds until golden brown. Fry the rest of the batter and place on paper towel. Serve hot.
thats a cute bowl ,, Also its similar to our appam (karthigai festival we make this)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to my eyes. I am craving for these sweets now. We make something similar...but love yours very much.
ReplyDeleteNice traditional sweet recipe looks so nice in that earthern bowl.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the taste of fried bananas here..yum...loved the photos so much..the box!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my Maharashtrian friend used to make this for one of their festivals and she called it another name, can't remember now, but it was surely yummy and so good :) Lovely pics as well Deepa...
ReplyDeleteLoved the presentation Deepa.And the recipe is just delicious.
ReplyDeleteLovely presentation, it looks so good and delicious!
ReplyDeleteGreat write up, beautiful pics and mouthwatering fritters. :)
ReplyDeleteDelicious pitha........like the way u served it in a Pathuri!!!
ReplyDeletesometimes i really feel that bengali and keralite sweets and snacks are so similar... we make something exactly like this but with mashed banans... looks so yum and love that bowl...
ReplyDeleteBelated Sankranthi wishes to you too Deepa...love traditional recipes and this one looks so yummy
ReplyDeletePithe with nolen gur - the perfect picture for winter snacking. I love this recipe and the pictures. In Kerala, this is made with the special variety 'nendran' banana, and I so love them too. Do try out the same recipe with nendran banana, am sure you will like it.
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe, not had it for years, thanks for bringing it back for me :)
ReplyDeleteBhajis looks awesome
ReplyDeleteThey look so delicious and yummy !!
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this from one of my friends. Looks delicious and yummy
ReplyDelete