The colorful festival of Holi has been associated with the strings of enjoyment, colors, and authentic dishes on this special day. While this festival is popular in Asian countries, humans have taken this festival to different parts of the world. It is the beginning of the spring harvest season. The festival remarks happiness, forgiveness, and love shared through the preparation of various food items.
People all over the world feel impressed by the foods served on this auspicious occasion which unite the emotions of joy and glory. A mixed cuisine is represented and is often on the sweeter side to demonstrate the sweet beginnings of this day
15 Authentic Foods to Eat in Holi
1. Gujiya
Gujiya or let’s rather call it a dumpling of love, is made with cornflour or refined flour. These dumplings are stuffed with an undeniable mixture of delicious dried fruits. These Gujiyas are deep-fried to make the outer layer crunchy to be eaten on Holi. The stuffing can also be made out of pure khoa (Mawa) and may be topped with chopped dry fruits like cashews or almonds.
2. Thandai
Thandai is one of the most refreshing drinks served at the colourful festival of Holi. It is made through a simple procedure with numerous ingredients. Rosewater, saffron and rich nuts are a major part of this drink. Fennel seeds, watermelon kernels and cardamom are often associated with it. Some spices like pepper and poppy seeds are used. The mixture is prepared and mixed with sugar and milk. The delicious drink is served chilled while enjoying the festival of Holi.
3. Bhang
Bhang is the most traditional drink of Holi. Bhang is a preparation of cannabis along with flowers of the same plant. The mixture is prepared which is drunk with chilled milk. It is believed that Bhang gives hallucinogenic effects.
4. Puran Poli
Puran Poli, one of the most loved delicacies, is prepared with Chana dal and jaggery. It is a sweet bread stuffed with the puran. The puran (dough) is rolled and is heated with thick ghee. On the occasion of Holi, this dish becomes amusing with flavoursome ghee dropped over the dish for a smooth texture.
5. Malpua
Malpua stands out to be one of the most unique desserts of Holi. It includes rice flour, cardamom powder, semolina (rava) and khoya. These elements are mixed together to form a liquid-like batter to be spread on a pan. Ghee is added once the batter is put on the pan to ensure the smoothness of the dessert. As the dish turns light brown, it can be served hot as well as cold. It is generally garnished with almonds.
6. Rasmalai
Rasmalai, also called rossomalai, turns out to be the dessert served with tasty milk over it. The classical dessert is prepared purely with milk, sugar and saffron. The little dumplings are garnished with saffron and pistachios all over them. Every bite of this dessert feels like a divine delight in the mouth.
7. Phirni
Phirni is associated with or is as common as kheer. It is a creamy pudding prepared with essential rice and milk. Sugar is used to sweeten the taste. Phirni is different from kheer because of the grains of rice soaked in water. They are then grounded to a fine paste. Once the paste is prepared, rice, milk and saffron are combined together for the mouth-watering dessert to be consumed.
8. Chana Masala
Chana Masala or chole masala is a scrumptious delicacy with chickpeas. Chana masala contains pungent flavours of garlic, ginger and onions. The chickpeas are cooked accurately for the spices to blend with them. It is associated with a thick curry of tomatoes, onions and other spices. The dish is highly loved by Indians due to the strong aroma of the delicacy.
9. Dahi Vada
Dahi Vada lies in the category of chaat. This authentic dish is prepared with an amazing togetherness of dahi (curd) and vada. The vadas are basically fritters made with the preparation of lentil. The vadas are dunked with yogurt or curd and are softened in the plate. It is amazingly garnished with various chutneys like tamarind chutney and mint chutney. Spices like red chilly powder and cumin powder are often used in garnishing.
10. Pakora
Pakora – favorite dish on Holi. Pakoras on Holi are prepared with flour, tomato and ginger. Strong spices like chilly powder and turmeric are added to the batter. Once the batter mixes well, they are turned into little dumplings and are fried in hot oil. The golden-brown pakoras are crunchy and are consumed with mint chutney or ketchup.
11. Barfi
Barfi is an authentic dessert prepared at the festival of Holi. It marks a new beginning with this sweet and joyous dessert. The dessert is purely prepared with milk. Milk is boiled until it thickens. They are then turned to desired shapes and sizes. Garnished with almonds, Barfi becomes the perfect choice for the day!
12. Shakkar Paare
Shakkar paare or Shakkar para is a flaky and sweet snack for any day. It is more like a fried biscuit to be enjoyed with tea or coffee. The mixture of flour and rava is prepared which is then deep-fried. The batter also includes ghee and sugar for a sweet flavor of the Shakkar para. A pinch of salt is added to the batter for it to be crispy and smooth at the same time.
13. Lassi
Lassi is one of the most popular drinks on the occasion of Holi. A curd-based drink, it is served chilled to enjoy the festival in the soaring sun. It is an absolute blend of curd along with sugar. The thick, sweet lassi includes spices like cardamom and saffron. Lassi can also be flavored with fruits to give variants like Mango lassi or Strawberry lassi.
14. Matar Ki Kheer
Matar ki kheer is a unique delicacy prepared during the festival of Holi. It is prepared with green pea along with cardamom, saffron, and nuts. The green peas are heated with ghee, chopped, and combined with pistachios. Thick milk and sugar are added to the delicacy. The kheer is heated until cooked. The delicacy is served chilled with a fine garnish of saffron and almonds.
15. Kachori
Kachori is a finger-licking spicy snack, prepared with a stuffing of lentils. The mixture is stuffed in the Kachoris for it to be a fine dumpling. It is then deep-fried in hot oil. The texture of this snack is flaky from the inside and crispy on the outer side. The dish can be enjoyed with green chilly, tamarind chutney, mint chutney, or ketchup.
Read also – 18 Most Popular Foods to Eat at Juhu Beach
