Snapshots
As the sun begins its northward journey, ushering in longer days, India celebrates Makar Sankranti, a festival that is synonymous with new beginnings and the winter harvest. Beyond the vibrant kite-flying and sacred dips in the river, the heart of this celebration lies in its unique seasonal sweets. These aren't just treats, they are traditional culinary wisdom that have been carefully crafted with ingredients like sesame, jaggery, and peanuts to provide essential warmth and nourishment during the cold months. Get ready to discover how these delicious, time honored delicacies offer a surprising bounty of health benefits.
Key ingredients used in Makar Sankranti special sweets
The magic of Makar Sankranti sweet dishes lies in a simple yet potent combination of ingredients, each selected by tradition for its ability to generate warmth and strength during the colder months. Here are the stars of the festive Makar Sankranti mithai spread-
1. Sesame seeds (Til)
These miniscule seeds are truly a winter superfood. Roasted to a nutty perfection, sesame seeds are cherished for their warming nature, helping the body combat the winter child and preventing dryness. These tiny pearls of warmth are also a treasure trove of calcium, magnesium, and healthy fats, which makes them an excellent source of bolstering bone health, boosting energy, and nourishing the dry winter skin and hair.
2. Jaggery (Gur)
A far cry from refined sugar, jaggery is unrefined cane or palm sugar that retains its natural goodness. With a rich, caramel-like flavour, jaggery also boasts of an impressive nutritional profile. Making for a dense source of iron, potassium, and antioxidants, jaggery is traditionally consumed after meals as it is highly valued for its role in activating digestive enzymes. It helps cleanse the body, and provides a sustained energy boost that keeps you active throughout the festive season.
3. Peanuts and nuts
Often found in brittle Makar Sankranti sweet dishes like Chikki and Makar Sankranti laddu mixtures, peanuts and other nuts like cashews and almonds add a delightful crunch and substantial nutritional depth. They are packed with healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fibre, protein, and vitamin E, and offer a wholesome mix of nutrients that keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Delightful and nutritious Makar Sankranti sweets and their health benefits
Here are some of the traditional Makar Sankranti special sweets that perfectly blend textures and flavours with surprising, time tested health advantages-
1. Til gur laddu
A concentrated energy ball, til gur laddu is a special kind of Makar Sankranti laddu that perfectly combines the warmth of jaggery with the crunch of sesame, and is also often infused with aromatic cardamom. The blend of til and gur helps strengthen bone health and significantly boosts haemoglobin levels. They generate internal heat, helping relieve joint pain and fight common cold symptoms that are typically associated with winters.
2. Chikki
A hard, glistening brittle where roasted peanuts or sesame seeds are suspended in a molten, caramelised jaggery matrix, this Makar Sankranti mithai offers irresistible crackle and a deep, earthy flavour that lasts. Making for an excellent source of plant based protein and healthy fats, the combination of jaggery further provides for complex carbohydrates for sustained energy release, making it an ideal snack to keep fatigue at bay, especially during long days of festival celebration.
3. Rewadi/ gazak
Often shaped into small discs or flaky blocks, these make for Makar Sankranti special dishes that feature finely crushed sesame seeds and jaggery or sugar. Sesame is rich in fibre and healthy oils which, when consumed with the digestive properties of jaggery, can help regulate bowel movements and gently cleanse the digestive tract. The healthy fats present in this Makar Sankranti special sweet also helps moisturise the body internally, preventing winter dryness.
4. Puran poli
A Makar Sankranti sweet dish that hails from the state of Maharashtra, puran poli is a soft and wholesome flatbread that is stuffed with a subtly sweet filling of cooked chana dal, jaggery, and fragrant cardamom. The chana dal stuffing makes for a phenomenal source of plant based protein and dietary fibre, which is crucial for muscle repair and digestive health. The combination of protein and complex carbohydrates, further provide for sustained energy.
5. Doodh puli
Dudh puli are small, rice flour dumplings filled with rich, spiced coconut and date palm jaggery mix, which is gently simmered in creamy, reduced milk. This Makar Sankranti mithai is a Bengali delicacy that is consumed during the peak winter months. The combination of rice flour and milk ensures a high intake of calcium and high quality protein. Coconut adds essential manganese and healthy fats which help strengthen the immune system against winter ailments.
6. Sweet pongal
A ceremonial preparation from South India, sweet pongal is a creamy pudding that is warm, and is made by cooking freshly harvested rice and moong lentils in milk. This dish is sweetened with jaggery and generously flavoured with cashews and ghee. Moong dal is one of the most easily digestible legumes, offering a valuable source of protein. This Makar Sankranti sweet dish offers the perfect mix of carbohydrates and protein, creating a balanced, and nutritious meal.