Makar Sankranti is a colorful harvest festival celebrated across India with great joy and enthusiasm. One of the best parts of this festival is the delicious food that brings families and communities together. Let’s explore some mouth-watering Makar Sankranti food recipes that you can easily make at home!
Why are these foods special during Makar Sankranti?
The foods prepared during Makar Sankranti are not just tasty; they’re also packed with meaning and nutrition. Many of these dishes use ingredients like sesame seeds and jaggery, which are believed to keep you warm during the winter months. Plus, they’re often made from freshly harvested crops, making them a delicious way to celebrate the hard work of farmers.
Tilgul: The Sweet Symbol of Friendship
What is Tilgul?
Tilgul is a sweet treat made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It’s especially popular in Maharashtra during Makar Sankranti.
How to make Tilgul:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup jaggery
- 1/4 cup peanuts (optional)
Steps:
- Roast the sesame seeds lightly in a pan until they pop.
- Melt the jaggery in another pan.
- Mix the roasted sesame seeds (and peanuts if using) into the melted jaggery.
- Shape the mixture into small balls while it’s still warm.
- Let them cool and harden.
Nutritional Benefits: Tilgul is rich in calcium from sesame seeds and iron from jaggery, making it a nutritious energy booster.
Regional Variations:
- In Karnataka, they make Ellu Bella, which includes coconut and roasted peanuts along with sesame and jaggery.
- In Andhra Pradesh, Nuvvula Bella is made with sesame seeds, peanuts, and rice puffs.
Pongal: A Hearty Harvest Dish
What is Pongal?
Pongal is both the name of the festival in Tamil Nadu and a special dish prepared during this time. There are two types: sweet (Sakkarai) Pongal and savory (Ven) Pongal.
Sweet Pongal Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice
- 1/2 cup moong dal
- 1 cup jaggery
- 1/4 cup ghee
- Cashews and raisins for garnish
- Cardamom powder
Steps:
- Cook rice and moong dal together until soft.
- In another pan, melt jaggery with a little water to make a syrup.
- Mix the jaggery syrup with the cooked rice and dal.
- Add ghee, cardamom powder, and garnish with cashews and raisins.
Nutritional Benefits: Pongal provides a balanced mix of carbohydrates from rice, protein from moong dal, and healthy fats from ghee.
Regional Variations:
- In Andhra Pradesh, they add milk to make Pala Pongali.
- In Kerala, a similar dish called Unni Appam is made with rice, jaggery, and banana.
Undhiyu: Gujarat’s Winter Veggie Delight
What is Undhiyu?
Undhiyu is a mixed vegetable dish that’s a Makar Sankranti specialty in Gujarat.
How to make Undhiyu:
Ingredients:
- Assorted winter vegetables (like yam, potatoes, eggplant, green beans)
- Green garlic
- Coconut
- Spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder)
Steps:
- Cut all vegetables into chunks.
- Make a paste with coconut, green garlic, and spices.
- Layer the vegetables in a pot, adding the spice paste between layers.
- Cook on low heat until all vegetables are tender.
Nutritional Benefits: Undhiyu is a powerhouse of vitamins and fiber from its variety of vegetables.
Regional Variations:
- In Surat, they add small fried dough balls called muthiya to the dish.
- In some parts of Maharashtra, a similar dish called Bharli Vangi (stuffed eggplant) is prepared.
Puran Poli: Maharashtra’s Sweet Flatbread
What is Puran Poli?
Puran Poli is a sweet stuffed flatbread that’s popular during Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra.
Puran Poli Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the outer covering:
- 2 cups wheat flour
- Water as needed
For the filling:
- 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
- 1 cup jaggery
- Cardamom powder
Steps:
- Cook the chana dal until soft, then mash it.
- Mix the mashed dal with jaggery and cardamom to make the filling.
- Make a soft dough with the wheat flour and water.
- Roll out small portions of the dough, place some filling in the center, and seal it.
- Roll out again gently and cook on a hot griddle with ghee.
Nutritional Benefits: Puran Poli offers a good balance of carbohydrates from wheat flour and protein from chana dal.
Regional Variations:
- In Karnataka, it’s called Obbattu or Holige and sometimes includes coconut in the filling.
- In Gujarat, a similar dish called Vedmi uses toor dal instead of chana dal.
Til Ladoo: Bite-sized Energy Balls
What are Til Ladoos?
Til Ladoos are sweet balls made from sesame seeds and jaggery, popular across North India during Makar Sankranti.
How to make Til Ladoos:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 cups jaggery
- 1/4 cup water
Steps:
- Roast sesame seeds until they turn golden.
- Make a syrup by melting jaggery in water.
- Mix roasted sesame seeds into the jaggery syrup.
- While the mixture is still warm, shape it into small balls.
Nutritional Benefits: Til Ladoos are rich in calcium, iron, and healthy fats from sesame seeds.
Regional Variations:
- In Bengal, they make Til Naru, which includes grated coconut.
- In Rajasthan, Til Patti is a flattened version of Til Ladoo, often including peanuts.
Conclusion: A Feast for All Senses
Makar Sankranti foods are more than just delicious treats. They’re a way to connect with tradition, celebrate the harvest, and share love with family and friends. Each dish tells a story of the region it comes from and the people who have been making it for generations.
Whether you’re making Tilgul in Maharashtra, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Undhiyu in Gujarat, or Til Ladoos in North India, you’re participating in a rich cultural tradition. These foods not only warm our bodies during the winter but also warm our hearts with the joy of celebration and sharing.
So this Makar Sankranti, why not try making one of these traditional dishes? It’s a great way to learn about different cultures across India, enjoy nutritious seasonal foods, and create your own special festival memories. Happy cooking and happy Makar Sankranti!
We’d love to see your Makar Sankranti creations! Try these recipes and share photos of your dishes in the comments. Which one is your favorite? Do you have any special family recipes for Makar Sankranti? Share them with us!