Holi is the festival of colour which falls on 25 March 2024. It is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the victory of good over evil and enjoying some time with loved ones like family and friends. Holi brings people from their homes to the streets around the world to celebrate the sense of unity and brotherhood. People play with a colour powder called Gulaal, water-filled Pichkaries and more. But the Holi celebration is incomplete without having the traditional Holi foods. There is a delicious array of traditional foods, snacks, and drinks that are often consumed on the Holi only. These mouthwatering dishes are not just tasty but they represent the festive culture and diversity of India. Today, we bring you a list of popular food, snacks and drinks to delight your taste buds and fulfil your craving.
1. Gujiya
Gujiya is a traditional Indian sweet delicacy which is popular at Holi parties. It is like a sweet dumpling or pastry. This sweet dumpling is made with a crisp outer filling with khoya (reduced milk), dried fruits, and nuts. Its outer crisp layer is prepared with all-purpose flour (maida) and ghee (clarified butter), giving it a rich and flaky texture when fried. Gujiya is associated with the festival’s spirit of celebration and togetherness. Families prepare gujiya at home and share it with their loved ones. It is a perfect treat to offer after enjoying and playing with colour. Its combination of crispy outer with creamy filling is appealing to all age groups.
2. Thandai
Thandai is a refreshing traditional Indian drink. It is synonymous with Holi. During Holi, every house prepares Thandai. It is a refreshing and aromatic drink with a blend of various ingredients, including milk, sugar, nuts, and spices. The true flavour of thandai is prepared with almonds, pistachios, cardamom, saffron, peppercorns, and poppy seeds. It is known for its cooling properties which make you hydrate and refresh throughout the day. It contains cardamom and peppercorns add a subtle warmth and depth of flavour to the drink whereas saffron gives a golden colour to the drink. Thandai is available in the market. Bring paste from the market and mix it in the chilled milk as per the instructions mentioned on the package.
If you’re planning to prepare Thandai Phirni on this Holi 2024 than go and check out our Thandai Phirni Recipe Blog.
3. Dahi Bhalla
Dahi Bhalla is a popular Indian snack. Mostly it is enjoyed using the festival of colours, holi. It is a sweet-spicy snack which is enjoyed by everyone. Dahi Bhalla is deep-fried lentil dumplings called “bhallas”, which are soaked in the yoghurt called Dahi with a layer of a variety of spices and chutneys(sweet, spicy). Most people prepare Dahi Bhalla at home. One who cannot make it enjoys the restaurant, event, etc. It is prepared with a batter of soaked and ground lentils, usually urad dal or moong dal. The batter is then deep-fried until it becomes golden brown and crispy, then soaked in water to remove excess oil and soften it. On the next day, this bhalla is transferred to a bowl of thick and creamy yoghurts with preferred spice and chutneys.
4. Bhang
Bhang is a traditional holi drink. It is prepared by the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. Making bhang on Holi is of significant cultural and religious importance in India. It is believed that it has been used for centuries. To prepare Bhang, the leaves of a cannabis plant are ground into a paste and then mixed with milk, ghee, sugar, and spices such as cardamom and nutmeg. Some use this bhang paste in the thandai and distribute it to the people. It is available at every party and event, but it is up to the people who want to drink it. Bhang is known for its psychoactive properties, it gives a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. People enjoy a Holi party after drinking Bhang. It is suggested to drink bhang in moderation. Excessive consumption is not good for your health.
5. Jalebi
Jalebi is a very famous sweet of India. Jalebi is a syrup-soaked sweet that is a staple during Holi and comes in all shapes and sizes. Jalebi is made using fermented dough that is fried and soaked in a rose-flavoured sugar syrup. Some people like to eat a Holi breakfast of jalebis and fafdas (fried gram fritters with turmeric and carom seeds), while others make imarti, a jalebi made from urad dal flour. Another way to make jalebi is ghayari, which is a giant, crunchy jalebi made for Holi with dough fermented for 48 hours.
6. Bhajiya
Bhajiya is a very common snack in India. It is bhaji or kanda bhajiya, pakora are fried fritters made using chickpea flour or flour that you can find on street corners in India. Each region has its version of pakora, but the most popular version is kanda bhajiya made with chopped and salted red onions and gram flour. The salt draws enough moisture from the onions to form a light layer of mixture on each thin slice. The result? Crispy and golden pieces of delicious onions.
7. Puran Poli
Puran Poli is a traditional festival sweet, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. It is famous to consume on Holi, Diwali, etc. It is Indian sweet flatbread. It is prepared as a sweet filling called “Puran” by cooking lentils (usually chana dal) with jaggery, cardamom, and grated coconut until it forms a thick, aromatic paste. This puran is a stuffing from the dough of wheat flour. Then it is rolled and cut into thin circles. It is fried food to win the ghee. It is typically served hot or warm. Puran Poli is a combination of soft, sweet filling with a crispy, buttery texture. It is enjoyed by all age groups.
8. Papri Chaat
Papri Chaat is a famous street food in India. It is a very delicious and tangy snack to consume on Holi. It is mostly famous in North India. Papri chaat contains papri, which are small, round pieces of crispy dough made from refined flour (maida). On the papri, types of ingredients, chutney, and syrup are added to enhance the flavour and texture. To have the best papri chaat, it is a must to add tamarind chutney and mint-coriander chutney, along with yoghurt and chaat masala. It is a mouth-watering snack, garnished with fresh coriander leaves and served.
9. Malpua
Malpua is a traditional Indian dessert around the country. It is a sweet and delicious dessert to have after food. It is prepared with all-purpose flour (maida), semolina (sooji), mashed bananas, milk, and sometimes yoghurt or coconut. Later, it goes to the flavoured and sweet syrup which gives its true taste. It is often served warm and garnished with chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, or cashews. It is the best festive dessert and is served on Holi, Diwali, etc.
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