What are the first three things that come to anyone’s mind in India when we say festivals?
Lights, new clothes, and FOOD!
We can literally categorise seasons, festivals and our good and bad moments in life through food. Isn’t it? Obviously the same holds true for Diwali. Planning begins weeks before Diwali, and so do food debates, especially on Twitter. I would start hounding my mother a month before Diwali asking her to get the halwai home and make Kaju Katli.
Two dabbas would be kept separately for me, out of reach of my two siblings. Sigh. Things were simpler, life was easier and food was cheaper back then, hehe. But, I got weirdly nostalgic this time around and ask my colleagues and friends what their Diwali memories were. It turned out to be such a fun conversation that I had to share it!
Kaju Barfi Supremacy
Like everyplace else, obviously, it was Kaju barfi for the win this time.
Prateek tells me, “For me toh it’s just eating a lot of it on Diwali and having a bad stomach the next day!” To this, Debdutta added, “Diwali would essentially be all about stealing Kaju Barfis from the dabbas and blaming it on my sister.”
The best part about Diwali especially is that it’s never about JUST your own house. It’s the neighbours, friends and relatives as well. The food, uff. “The only reason I tagged along with my parents to visit neighbours ke ghar was for the kaju barfi and pistachios,” Sagarika says, almost lending my thought words.
Maa Ke Haath Ki Kheer Poori
I love that Diwali isn’t just about snacks, it’s about so many delicacies and ‘exclusive ‘festival dishes. Heck, I don’t care if I sound cliche but the trio of love, food and togetherness is worth everything.
“Ma’s poori and kheer were a Diwali-only thing and no one else I knew was having this whacky combination of food. Sindhis anyway love to mix up sweet and savoury on all special occasions. I’d be too excited about it,” Ritika tells me.
Dhoda Barfi Overdose
Then something amazing happened. In the midst of a conversation, a word was uttered. Dhoda. I asked everyone if Dhoda meant ‘lauki‘. And then I stumbled into a Dhoda Barfi rabbit hole.
But I was surprised to see the love for Dhoda Barfi.
“For me, Diwali is dhoda barfi. We somehow tend to buy it in Diwali only,” Rigya shares.
And Ritika adds, “One Diwali, I ate half a dabba of it compelling my mom to hide it on top of the cupboard. I got the dining chair and climbed up on top of the bed and managed to get the dabba back and finished the rest.”
Doodh Jalebi
This one was an element of surprise because growing up and living in Madhya Pradesh, Jalebi is like a staple sweet all year round. Doodh Jalebi being a Diwali favourite was a nice surprise.
“I used to go to more people’s houses to eat and see what’s up,” Kirrat exclaims with joy. “Doodh Jalebi was an eyeopener for me! Jitna Kaju Katli, utni hi Soan Papdi and Puran Poli bhi,” she adds.
Pizza, Anyone?
Pizza isn’t just Italian food that everyone loves, it’s a religion. Prithvi proves me right.
“Every Diwali, we would have pizza for dinner. I don’t live with my parents anymore, so I have pizza all the time now. But, when my parents were around: pizza was a rarity. They didn’t have too much of an appetite for Italian food, except if it was Diwali. For dinner, we would religiously order a bunch of pizzas from Domino’s – something spicy for my mom and something extra cheesy for my dad,” he says.
The list is long, sweet and savoury. May food always be a language of love, affection and light that brings us together with every bite.
Why don’t you tell me what your favourite #DiwaliFood was in the comments sections in the post? Share some memories, throw some light, and have a lot of yummy food this festive night.