Makar Sankranti: Delicious Foods And Healthy Laddu Recipe

There is no other feeling like til ka laddu melting down in our mouths!

With a wave of festive cheers across the country, we are all set to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2023. The significance of Sankranti is the end of negativity whilst giving way to good intentions and righteousness. 

The festive spirit can be felt everywhere, from decorated houses to lit-up places of worship to kite flying and the preparation of traditional delicacies. It is time to celebrate the year's first festival with happiness and harmony.

India is where traditions, festivals, and religious beliefs coexist happily with global technology. These customs and holidays have their merits, and most have a similar scientific approach. This is probably why people from other countries have begun to visit India around particular festivals to feel the warmth.

Makar Sankranti is one such occasion, with many visitors taking the holy bath and enjoying til-gur at the street store on this auspicious day. This event honours newly harvested grains, which play an important role in the festivities. In addition to other grains, khichri, til, and gur are popular.

The bulk of Hindu religious holidays is observed according to the lunar calendar. However, Makar Sankranti is the only festival observed according to the solar calendar. The celebration is held on January 14th.

In layman's terms, it refers to the sun's entry into Capricorn.

Makar Sankranti is primarily a rabi (winter) agricultural harvest festival observed throughout India. In the west, it is known as Makar Sankranti; in the south, it is known as Pongal; in the north, it is known as Lohri; in the east, it is named after the food Khichdi, which is also served lavishly on this holy day. It also symbolises the end of the winter season.

Furthermore, this blog will give you an insight into all the different healthy cuisines being prepared across the country on this occasion and a recipe for delicious sesame seed laddu for its properties of aiding in many medical conditions.

Table Of Contents

1. Some Popular Food Preparations Of Makar Sankranti

2. Healthy Laddu Recipe For Sankranti

3. Dietitian’s Recommendation

4. The Final Say

Some Popular Food Preparations Of Makar Sankranti 

The aroma of ghee and frying murukku passing through the curtains and reaching your room takes you back to your childhood.

Festive foods have some or other connections with our fondest memories, making them more delicious.

Some of the popular food preparations of makar Sankranti are as follows :

1. Punjab's Sarson Ka Saag

Who does not love the traditional sarso ka saag and sizzling hot makke ki roti with a dab of butter? The mouthwatering Punjabi winter speciality is cooked with mustard leaves and other green leafy vegetables. Though most of you have had the delicacy in restaurants, why not make it at home this Lohri?

2. Maharashtra's Puran Poli

Puran poli is another delectable meal you may make at home this Makar Sankranti. Though puran poli originated in Maharashtra, it is popular throughout India. The filling, puran, is made from mashed chana dal cooked with jaggery and cardamom powder. A dab of ghee accompanies the delicacy.

3. West Bengal's Patishapta

Patishapta is a packed sweet crepe, another delectable delicacy from the land of sweet lovers. In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is only complete if this dish is prepared. The delectable treat contains coconut, khoya, and date palm jaggery.

4. Tamil Nadu's Sakkarai Pongal

Sakkarai Pongal, often sweet Pongal, is a South Indian delicacy. Pongal is traditionally made using rice, jaggery, cashews, and moong dal. During Pongal, this delectable treat is a must-have.

5. Assam's Pitha

Pithas are one of the most prominent Assamese traditional foods at a Bihu celebration. Pithas are a traditional Assamese dish composed mostly of rice flour and other natural ingredients. 

6. Gujarat's Undhiyu

Undhiyu, also known as Undhiya, is a traditional Gujarati meal made with a mix of vegetables and spices that makes it both healthful and nutritious. Many Gujaratis like Undhiyu and Puri as their everyday meal during Uttarayan.

Begin with producing a round-shaped food item called Muthiya or Muthdi, which will be one of the dish's ingredients.

Healthy Laddu Recipe For Sankranti

Til ke laddu are a light and decadent dessert that combines sesame seeds, which are mild and nutty, with caramelised, sugary jaggery. Til is highly nutritious and has many health benefits like aiding in weight loss, improved digestion, a boost in bone health and many more.

Ingredients 

• Jaggery-1 Cup 
• Roasted sesame (til)-½ cup 
• Ghee-1 tbsp 
• Cardamom powder-1 tsp 
• Almonds-1 tbsp, crushed
• Cashews-1 tbsp, crushed

Preparation Method 

1. First, roast the sesame seeds in a pan and set them aside to cool. Then, heat a wok over high heat by adding ghee.

2. Add the jaggery and allow it to melt totally. Then, reduce the intensity of the flame.

3. After melting the jaggery, stir in the sesame seeds, cardamom powder, crushed almonds, and cashews.

4. Finally, switch off the gas. After the liquid has cooled slightly, oil your hands and create laddu.

5. Store these laddu in an airtight container and serve.

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Dietitian’s Recommendation

Everyone may enjoy many Makar Sankranti healthy foods as we celebrate a New Year, a day full of peace and prosperity. You can find these recipes online regardless of the names under which you commemorate the harvest season.

-Dietitian Lavina Chauhan

The Final Say

Eating delicious food and flying kites is what we are excited about when we think of Makar Sankranti. Festive food brings out the real Indian and adds to the vibe of festivals.

Bring back the enthusiasm and celebrate this festival with all the joy. This is when you can have a great time with your friends and family and eat delicious and healthy foods. You can also prepare these delicacies yourself and spend quality time with your family.

Makar Sankranti is a holiday observed in many different ways around the country. Regardless of the local name or custom, the holiday serves the same purpose to bring people together and highlight the significance of the harvest and the passing of the seasons. But it is another great culinary route for those who enjoy such things.

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