During Dussehra in Mumbai, the celebration is marked by not just the grandeur of cultural performances and rituals, but also by the rich spread of traditional foods that bring families together. The festival is associated with the triumph of good over evil, and food plays a symbolic role in the festivities, offering nourishment and joy. Here’s a look at some of the essential foods that are popular during Dussehra in Mumbai.
One of the most iconic dishes enjoyed during Dussehra is Puran Poli, a traditional Maharashtrian flatbread stuffed with a sweet filling of jaggery and split Bengal gram (chana dal). The soft and flavorful flatbread, lightly spiced with cardamom and nutmeg, is a favorite across households, symbolizing prosperity and happiness during the festive season. It is often served with ghee, enhancing the richness of the dish.
Another common sight during Dussehra is Sabudana Khichdi, which is especially popular among those who observe fasts during Navratri and Dussehra. This dish, made from soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls) mixed with peanuts, green chilies, and boiled potatoes, is light yet filling. The simplicity of its ingredients makes it a perfect dish for fasting, and it is widely prepared in Maharashtrian homes during this time.
Street food is also an integral part of Mumbai’s festive spirit, and Batata Vada makes its way onto many plates during Dussehra. These golden, deep-fried potato fritters are crispy on the outside and soft inside, making them an irresistible snack. Paired with spicy chutneys or stuffed in a pav to make Vada Pav, this quintessential Mumbai snack is enjoyed by people from all walks of life, adding a casual, fun element to the celebrations.
No Maharashtrian festival is complete without a serving of Shrikhand, a sweet yogurt-based dessert. Strained yogurt, flavored with saffron, cardamom, and nuts, creates a creamy, indulgent dessert that complements the more savory dishes served during the festival. It is often accompanied by puris, forming a sweet and satisfying end to the meal.
Among the festive sweets, Modak holds a special place. These sweet dumplings, filled with jaggery and coconut, are traditionally offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, but they are also relished during Dussehra. Steamed or fried, modaks are loved for their delicate sweetness and are symbolic of blessings and prosperity.
For those who enjoy a more savory dish, Alu Wadi or Patra is a popular choice. Made from colocasia leaves smeared with a spiced gram flour paste, rolled, steamed, and lightly fried, this dish offers a perfect balance of flavors with its sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. It’s a festive delicacy that is unique to Maharashtrian cuisine and is often served as part of the Dussehra feast.
Another festive favorite is Kheer or Payasam, a creamy dessert made from rice or vermicelli cooked in milk and sweetened with sugar or jaggery. Flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts and raisins, kheer is often prepared as an offering to deities during Dussehra. It is a comforting and satisfying dessert that is enjoyed at the end of a festive meal.
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