Winters are already here and have taken a toll on most of us. No sooner do winters get installed in the Indian subcontinent, people suddenly turn out to complain about it even before starting to enjoy the chilling and rosy winters. People face a lot of issues like cough, cold, congestion, dry skin, joint pain, obesity, heart-related problems, etc only to name a few. Our body temperature falls during winters and so does our metabolism. We also tend to consume more food and binge on sweets and consume less water. People also tend to have hot beverages like tea and coffee excessively during this season which won’t prove beneficial if exceeded a certain limit. These all reasons can pile up for one and can be the cause of any of the issues rising due to the season change.
But with the seasonal change, India has its dietary change as well. There are many traditional Indian cuisines and foods that were incorporated by our ancestors in order to battle this seasonal change that brings in so many health issues as mentioned earlier. In this blog, we will be discussing these rich Indian cuisines and how they add to health as well as improve our taste buds in this pleasant winter. So without any further ado, let’s get started:
1. Gond Ke Laddoo
Gond ke laddoo is a popular sweet dish in North India and many parts of West India. It’s a winter ritual in many families to make these laddoos in winter. It has a great scientific approach. The Gond aka edible gum has many nutritional benefits. It’s rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, dietary fiber, antioxidants and it’s also anti-carcinogenic. It’s anti-inflammatory as well. Consumption of Gond increases immunity and strengthens our bones, reduces weakness, and helps in constipation. It’s prepared with Gond, whole wheat flour, jaggery (optional), ghee, and dry fruits to enhance its nutritional benefits. Do give it a try. It won’t fail to satisfy your taste buds while keeping your health in check.
2. Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar ka Halwa is the most popular sweet dish in the winter in almost every household in the Indian Peninsula. Some of the best carrot produce is available in the markets in this season and hence it’s a winter special dish. The grated and sauteed carrots in ghee along with boiling milk and garnished dry fruits with the cardamom powder enhance the richness of the halwa along with the taste. Many add sugar for the sweetness but due to the increasing awareness nowadays people also prefer jaggery powder or Desi khaand. The Halwa can be eaten hot when prepared or you can refrigerate it and have its chilled version. Both of which tastes heavenly. Carrots have an abundance of vitamin A and it’s anti-aging. It’s worth a try.
3. Sarson Ka Saag
This is a traditional Punjabi dish that goes with the makke (corn) ki roti. It’s prepared from the green leaves of sarson just like other green leafy vegetables. It’s served with a small scoop of white butter along with the makke ki roti. It’s a full meal and a great source of energy. It’s rich in iron and vitamin B-12, vitamin D, etc.
4. Undhiyu
Winters are here and how can one miss the traditional recipe originating from the land of foodies – Gujarat. Undhiyu is a dish that takes a long time for its preparation and requires a pre-planning as well but all the efforts definitely pay the worth when you have the end product. It’s a mixed vegetable prepared from all the veggies that stock up the markets in the winters. They include Fenugreek balls, yams, potatoes, sweet potatoes, brinjals, papdi, sesame, etc. It proves to be a bunch of nutrition and taste. One will definitely regret denying Undhiyu.
5. Chikki
The traditional energy bars of India have a very easy preparation method. Chikkis are made out of Jaggery, peanuts, sesame, Amaranth, and dry fruits. Having chikki can give you an instant boost of energy. It’s an all-time and any-time snack. Now, you can say goodbye to your chocolate bars that fail to provide any nutrition.
6. Lapsi
Lapsi is a popular sweet dish usually prepared in Gujarat and a few parts of Rajasthan. It’s a breakfast dish. Lapsi is prepared with ghee, broken wheat, cardamom powder, dry fruits of your choice, and raisins.
Starting your day with it will keep you warm the entire day along with keeping you full.
7. Paya Soup
Paya soup is a perfect delight for all the non-vegetarians in winters. Its prepared with lamb trotters and the spices added to it makes it one of the most favorite winter dish. The aroma and flavoring spices simply cannot be resisted. It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.
8. Til Gud Laddoo
The Til Gud Ladoo is made out of roasted white sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, and Jaggery. There is no wonder about its taste, it’s simply a tasty ball filled with numerous health benefits. These laddoos are generally prepared during the Indian festival of Makar Sankranti. The sesame and jaggery help your body to keep warm during the extreme winters. Also, it succeeds in providing the essential iron content. The sesame is a rich Omega source and the peanuts are undoubtedly a good source of protein and provide all the vitals for your bones.
9. Bajra Khichdi
The bajra or the pearl millet is consumed frequently in India during winters by making Bajra Rotis or Bhakris along with white butter as bajra is a warm millet and helps in maintaining your health and weight in check. But in order to make it more delicious, healthy, and save time Indians have also chosen this one-pot meal of Bajra Khichdi. It’s made with coarse bajra flour, moong daal, ginger, garlic, water, and a few spices. Topping the khichdi with a spoon of ghee and curd or buttermilk alongside is certainly mouth-watering.
It’s popularly traditional in Rajasthan and parts of Haryana. The heating effect or the fire element that bajra has on your system certainly gives you a kind of fullness and satisfaction.
10. Matar Usal
“Matar usal” is a popular winter recipe originating from Maharashtra. It’s a spicy recipe with a tangy flavor. It’s a quick and easy-to-make green peas recipe. Green peas are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Winter is a season of green peas and this usal doesn’t compromise on your taste as on your health.
India is a land of foody people. Our ancestors have always enriched the Indian food culture with their nutrition knowledge and also made it palatable and tempting for all of us. The delicacies that have been mentioned here are just a few popularised food cuisine from the rich Indian food culture. Do give these dishes a definite try. Explore your taste buds and Happy eating!
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