Winter is all about indulgence; you cannot stop yourself from eating a snack now and then. But this time, instead of a hot chocolate or burger, let’s try comforting ourselves with some desi winters snacks of Rajasthan. Gajar ka halwa and hot samosas, of course, remain all-time favorite winter snacks, but there are a lot of other options that need to be explored when it comes to comfort food.
Rajasthan, in general, is considered a hot and dry state, which is true to some extent. But the state has its cycle of different seasons and, there are times when the temperature drops down below 0-degree celsius. And during these times, the locals change their diet and prefer something that will keep them warm from inside. They start using ingredients like sesame, jaggery, gond, and peanuts – these have inherent warming quality and are high in nutrition. Let’s have a look at some of the winter snacks that are prepared during these months in Rajasthan.
Gajak
Try switching chocolate bars for a gajak bar this winter to indulge in a nutritious combination of jaggery, sesame, and groundnuts. It is like a drier version of sticky bars, but a lot more healthy and tastes delicious. Jaggery, roasted peanuts, and sesame seeds are crushed to make a powdery dough. After that, the process of binding starts, which is a little difficult and time-consuming.
Pyaaz ki kachori
Kachori is a puffed-up fried snack that is filled with either savory or sweet ingredients. The filling of this kachori is onions and a lot of spices. A plate of pyaaz kachoris with chutney and a cup of piping hot masala chai (tea) makes up for a perfect winter snack. It is comforting, tasty, and can be enjoyed throughout the year. Even though it is not a very healthy option, you can enjoy it once in a while.
Gond raab
Raab is another Rajasthan special and can be made using makki, wheat flour, gond, or bajra. Gond raab is easy to make and extremely nutritious. It keeps your body warm and makes up for a perfect winter drink/breakfast. The main ingredients required to make gond raab are ghee, gond, and jaggery/brown sugar. You can also add shredded coconut or dry fruits to enhance the taste.
Mirchi vada
Want to literally “spice up” your winter? Try the hot and spicy mirchi vadas which are infused with the goodness of Rajasthani flavors. The dish is not for someone who has zero-tolerance for spice. Long green chilies are stuffed with mashed potatoes and then coated with besan. The chilly is then deep-fried and served hot with chutney and a cup of chai. It is a must-try snack when you visit Jodhpur.
Mungfali chikki
Peanut chikki is the ideal munchie as it is sweet, healthy, and brittle. It is basically a desi version of granola bars. It is a very quick and convenient breakfast option. Make this chikkis on a Sunday morning and, it will last you for a few days. You can have these chikkis throughout the year as peanuts are high in protein. But the ability of its primary ingredients to keep you warm from inside makes it a perfect winter snack.
Kalmi vada
Served with zesty hari chutney or imli chutney, Kalmi vada is a deep-fried snack with a filling of lentils like chana, moong, arhar, urad. It also has spices like ajwain and hing, which makes the filling flavourful and different. Kachoris and vadas are a perfect evening snack. And like all savory fried snacks, even Kalmi vada tastes delicious with a cup of hot masala chai.
Lapsi
Lapsi is a sweet dish made from broken wheat, cardamom, jaggery, and ghee. The aroma of cardamom and the goodness of wheat and jaggery is perfect for winters. It is a Rajasthan special dish and is made throughout the year on several occasions. It is easy to make and tastes amazing. You can have it as a snack or a dessert after your meal. Garnish it with chopped dry fruits to make it more flavourful.
Methi mathri
Mathri and hot chai- a perfect breakfast to enjoy on a winter/rainy morning. It is a popular snack in northern India. Mathri is a crispy snack and, is generally seasoned with ajwain. Methi mathris are seasoned with dried fenugreek leaves, also known as kasturi methi. Mathris is usually prepared during festivals, but you can enjoy them at any time of the year. And if you like you can also eat mathris with a bit of pickle on the side.
In winters, our bodies crave rich and nutritious goods. Though all snacks are not healthy, there is no harm in enjoying them once in a while. But as far as gajak, chikkis, raab and lapsi are concerned; these are healthy, delicious, and make up for perfect winter snacks of Rajasthan.
Follow Rajasthan Studio on Instagram for more amazing art and travel content. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]rajasthanstudio[dot]com. This blog is curated by Rajasthan Studio and written by Deepti Parmar.
