Delicious Makar Sankranti Recipes to Savor This Harvest Festival

Delicious Makar Sankranti Recipes to Savor This Harvest Festival

Makar Sankranti is one of the most significant and joyous festivals celebrated in India. Known for marking the transition of the sun into Capricorn, it signals the arrival of the harvest season and the beginning of longer days. The festival is not only about flying kites and celebrating the harvest but also about relishing traditional delicacies that hold cultural significance. Each region in India has its own unique way of celebrating Makar Sankranti with food, from sweet treats to savory dishes, all celebrating the bounty of the season.

In this blog, we’ll explore some delicious and must-try Makar Sankranti recipes that you can prepare and share with family and friends during this vibrant festival. Whether you’re looking to create traditional sweets like Tilgul or a hearty Undhiyu, these recipes will help you savor the flavors of the harvest.

1. Tilgul (Sesame and Jaggery Sweets)

Tilgul is one of the most iconic sweets associated with Makar Sankranti, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Made with sesame seeds and jaggery, this sweet treat is packed with flavor and symbolic meaning. The exchange of tilgul during the festival is a tradition to promote peace, friendship, and goodwill.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 cup jaggery (grated)
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • A pinch of cardamom powder

Instructions:

  1. Heat a pan on medium flame and dry roast the sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
  2. In a separate pan, melt the jaggery with a little water on low heat until it becomes a smooth syrup. Add ghee and cardamom powder to the syrup.
  3. Once the jaggery syrup reaches a soft ball consistency (test by dropping a small amount of syrup in cold water), add the roasted sesame seeds to the mixture.
  4. Stir well until the sesame seeds are evenly coated in the jaggery syrup.
  5. Grease a flat surface or a plate with ghee, then pour the mixture onto it. Flatten the mixture with a rolling pin to about half an inch thickness.
  6. Once it cools down, cut it into small squares or roll them into balls. Your delicious Tilgul is ready to serve!

2. Undhiyu (Mixed Vegetable Delight)

Undhiyu is a traditional Gujarati dish that is a must-have during Makar Sankranti celebrations. It is a mixed vegetable stew that is slow-cooked with spices, making it a hearty and flavorful dish. Typically made with winter vegetables like eggplant, yam, potatoes, and beans, Undhiyu is rich in flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced potatoes
  • 1 cup diced sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup diced eggplant
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup green beans (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves
  • 1 cup puris (small fried bread)
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 2 green chilies (slit)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp jaggery (optional)
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a large pot and add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
  2. Add the diced vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplant, carrots, and green beans) and sauté for a few minutes.
  3. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
  4. Add a small amount of water to cook the vegetables and cover the pot. Let it cook on low heat for about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add methi leaves and jaggery (optional) for a hint of sweetness.
  6. Gently fold in the puris and let them soak into the vegetable mixture. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle garam masala and serve the Undhiyu hot with rotis or puris.

3. Kichu (Savory Porridge)

Kichu is a popular dish made with rice and lentils, and it is often served during Makar Sankranti in parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The comforting, savory porridge is a great way to start the day and is easy to make.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice
  • 1/4 cup split yellow moong dal
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2-3 green chilies (slit)
  • 1/4 cup curry leaves
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Wash the rice and moong dal together. In a pressure cooker, add the rice, dal, and 3 cups of water. Cook for 3-4 whistles until soft.
  2. In a separate pan, heat ghee and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and green chilies.
  3. Once the seeds splutter, add the turmeric powder and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute.
  4. Add the cooked rice-dal mixture to the pan, and mix everything together. Add salt to taste and cook for an additional 5 minutes on low heat.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh curry leaves.

4. Pongal (Rice and Moong Dal Porridge)

In South India, Pongal is a festive dish that is prepared during Makar Sankranti. It is a savory rice and moong dal porridge that is typically offered to the Sun God. It's a simple yet comforting dish, perfect for the occasion.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice
  • 1/4 cup moong dal (yellow split lentils)
  • 1 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a pan, dry roast the moong dal until it turns light golden. Set it aside.
  2. In a pressure cooker, add rice, roasted moong dal, and 3 cups of water. Cook for 3-4 whistles.
  3. Heat ghee in a separate pan and add cumin seeds, black pepper, grated ginger, and cashews. Sauté until the cashews are golden brown.
  4. Once the rice and dal are cooked, add the ghee and spice mixture to the cooked rice. Mix everything together.
  5. Add salt to taste and serve hot.

5. Gajak (Sesame Brittle)

Another classic sweet associated with Makar Sankranti is Gajak, a crunchy, sweet snack made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It’s a favorite in North India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, and is often exchanged as a gesture of goodwill.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 cup jaggery
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • A pinch of cardamom powder

Instructions:

  1. Dry roast sesame seeds in a pan until they turn light golden.
  2. In a separate pan, melt jaggery with a little water on low heat. Once the jaggery becomes a thick syrup, add ghee and cardamom powder.
  3. Add the roasted sesame seeds to the jaggery syrup and mix well.
  4. Pour the mixture onto a greased surface and flatten it with a rolling pin.
  5. Once cooled, cut the Gajak into squares or strips and enjoy the crunchy, sweet treat.

6. Til Chikki (Sesame and Jaggery Brittle)

Til Chikki is another popular Makar Sankranti sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It's not only delicious but also packed with nutrition.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup jaggery (grated)
  • 1 tsp ghee

Instructions:

  1. Dry roast sesame seeds in a pan until they turn golden brown.
  2. In another pan, melt jaggery with a little water and cook until it reaches a soft ball consistency.
  3. Add the roasted sesame seeds and ghee to the jaggery mixture and mix well.
  4. Pour the mixture onto a greased surface, flatten it with a rolling pin, and let it cool.
  5. Once cooled, break it into pieces and enjoy!

7. Ladoo (Til and Jaggery Ladoo)

A simple yet delightful recipe to prepare during Makar Sankranti is the Til Ladoo made with sesame and jaggery, a delicious treat that’s quick to make.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup jaggery (grated)
  • 1 tbsp ghee

Instructions:

  1. Dry roast sesame seeds until they are lightly browned.
  2. Melt jaggery in a pan with a little water. Once it becomes a syrup, add the sesame seeds and ghee.
  3. Stir well and form small ladoos by rolling the mixture between your palms.
  4. Let them cool and enjoy this healthy treat.

8. Chana Sundal (Chickpea Salad)

Chana Sundal is a protein-packed, savory snack made from chickpeas, coconut, and spices, traditionally prepared during festivals in South India.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup boiled chickpeas
  • 1/4 cup grated coconut
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1-2 dried red chilies
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp hing (asafoetida)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies, and hing.
  2. Once the seeds splutter, add turmeric powder and the boiled chickpeas.
  3. Stir well and cook for a few minutes. Add salt to taste.
  4. Finally, add grated coconut and mix everything together.
  5. Serve as a healthy, festive snack.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is not just a festival to mark the change of seasons; it is also a time to indulge in traditional foods that hold cultural significance. From the sweet Tilgul to the savory Undhiyu, every dish has its own story and meaning, making the festival even more special. These recipes celebrate the spirit of harvest, warmth, and togetherness, bringing joy to your home and table.

This year, as you gather with loved ones to celebrate Makar Sankranti, try out these delicious recipes to share the bounty of the season. Whether you’re preparing a full meal or just a few sweets, these dishes will surely make your Makar Sankranti feast memorable. This Makar Sankranti, choose ArtyCraftz for handcrafted, sustainable décor that celebrates the harvest season while embracing a greener, more conscious lifestyle. Explore our range of products and make this festive season even more special with ArtyCraftz.

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