The foods of Diwali

Today marks the beginning of Diwali – known as Deepavali in south India – a five-day festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world that celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali celebrations frequently include fireworks, candles, and other forms of light displays. As with many holidays around the world food plays an important role in the festival as well, with sweets taking a prominent place in the feast.

Traditional Diwali foods include fried items such as chakali and karanji, poha chivda (a flattened rice snack), burfi (a fudge-like sweet), and halwa, which is a thick, pudding-like dessert made from various fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and lentils, finely grated and fried in ghee and sugar. The Carrot halwa pictured above comes from Mowgli Street Food: Stories and Recipes from the Mowgli Street Food Restaurants by Nisha Katona.

Parade Magazine offers a collection of 19 Diwali recipes that provide additional options such as pakora, jalebi, and murukku. Food52 has assembled a dozen Diwali recipes, including besan laddu, a savory pineapple lassi, and a festive lentil & basmati salad with tamarind, coconut and cilantro. Also see my post from 2014.