By geonationaltravel.com 
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of India’s biggest festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Two significant events are celebrated on this day: one, the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, and second, the slaying of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. These two events are commemorated with the festival of Dussehra. This day marks the end of the nine-day Navratri festival. The festival includes Ravan Dahan, Garba, and grand processions, but most importantly, it brings families and friends together with delicious festive foods.
In every corner of India, Dussehra is celebrated in different ways, and the regional specialties are reflected in the dishes prepared. Whether it’s the tangy and flavorful Puliyodarai from South India or the sweet and crispy Jalebi from North India, or everyone’s favorite PuranPoli, Dussehra is filled with a variety of flavors that offer a delightful experience and fill the heart with joy. Today, let’s explore some of the most special dishes prepared on Dussehra, along with a few authentic recipes that you can try at home.
Table of Contents
Let’s take a closer look at some Dussehra-special recipes from various parts of India that will make your festive spread extra special.
1. Puran Poli: A Maharashtrian Delight
Dussehra celebration in Maharashtra is incomplete without Puran Poli. This traditional sweet flatbread is filled with a delicious mixture of chana dal (split chickpeas) and jaggery or sugar, and this is a favorite dish among Maharashtrians during festivals.
Recipe for Puran Poli:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas)
- 1/2 cup jaggery (grated)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups wheat flour (for the dough)
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Pinch of nutmeg powder
- Ghee (for cooking)
- Water (for kneading)
Instructions:
Cook the Chana Dal: Start by cooking the Chana dal in a pressure cooker until soft. Drain the excess water and mash the dal to a smooth consistency.
Prepare the Filling: In a pan, add the mashed dal , jaggery and sugar. Cook the mixture on low heat until the jaggery and sugar melt and combine with the dal to form a thick paste. Add cardamom, and netmug powder for flavor and allow the filling to cool.
Make the Dough: While the filling cools, prepare the dough by kneading the wheat flour with water to form a soft, pliable dough. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
Stuff and Roll: Divide the dough into small balls, and roll them out into small discs. Place a spoonful of the chana dal-jaggery-sugar mixture in the center of each disc, fold the edges, and seal the filling inside. Roll the stuffed dough balls into thin flatbreads.
Cook the Puran Poli: Heat a tawa (griddle) and cook the Puran Poli on both sides with a little ghee until golden brown.
Serve: Serve hot with a dollop of ghee or milk.
The sweet and nutty flavor of puran poli makes it a staple dish during Dussehra, bringing warmth and sweetness to the festivities.
2. Jalebi: The Festive Sweetness
What’s a celebration without some sugar-laden indulgence? Jalebi, with its crispy, syrupy goodness, is a festive must-have. This iconic dessert is particularly popular during Dussehra, with street vendors and sweet shops buzzing with activity as people queue up to grab a plate of piping-hot jalebis.
Recipe for Jalebi:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of saffron (optional)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- Ghee (for frying)
Instructions:
Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, yogurt, and water to form a thick batter. Let it ferment for 2-3 hours to develop a slight sourness that gives jalebi its characteristic tangy flavor.
Heat the Ghee: Heat ghee in a pan for deep-frying.
Pipe the Jalebis: Pour the batter into a piping bag or a squeezable plastic bottle with a small nozzle. Pipe spirals of the batter directly into the hot ghee.
Fry Until Golden: Fry the jalebis until they turn golden and crisp on both sides.
Prepare the Syrup: While the jalebis fry, prepare a sugar syrup by dissolving sugar in water and adding saffron for a rich flavor and color.
Soak and Serve: Once fried, soak the jalebis in the hot sugar syrup for a minute, then serve immediately.
The crispy texture combined with the sweetness of the sugar syrup makes jalebi an irresistible treat during Dussehra celebrations. Pair it with hot milk for a traditional indulgence.
3. Sabudana Khichdi: A Fasting Favorite
For those observing a fast during Dussehra, Sabudana Khichdi is a popular and light meal option. Made from tapioca pearls (sabudana), this dish is perfect for those fasting during Navratri and Dussehra as it is filling yet easy on the stomach.
Recipe for Sabudana Khichdi:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sabudana (tapioca pearls)
- 1 tablespoon ghee or Oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 green chilies (chopped)
- 6 curry leaves
- 1 boiled potato (diced)
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts (crushed)
- Salt and sugar to taste
- Lemon juice and coriander for garnish
Instructions:
-
Soak the Sabudana: Soak the sabudana in water for 4-5 hours or until the pearls are soft. Drain the excess water and set aside.
-
Cook the Khichdi: Heat ghee in a pan you can also use oil if want, and add cumin seeds, curry leaves and green chilies. Once they splutter, add diced boiled potatoes and sauté for a minute.
-
Add Sabudana and Peanuts: Add the soaked sabudana, crushed peanuts, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Stir gently and cook on low heat until the sabudana turns translucent.
-
Garnish and Serve: Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. Serve hot.
Sabudana Khichdi is light, mildly spiced, and has a lovely crunchy texture from the peanuts, making it a perfect dish for those fasting or simply enjoying a light meal during Dussehra.
4. Puliyodarai: The Southern Delight
From South India, we bring you Puliyodarai or Tamarind Rice. This tangy rice dish, with its bold flavors of tamarind, spices, and roasted peanuts, is often served in temples as prasadam during Dussehra.
Recipe for Puliyodarai:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- 1 teaspoon urad dal
- 1 dried red chili
- Curry leaves
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the Tamarind Mixture: Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal, dried red chili, and curry leaves. Once the mustard seeds splutter, add the tamarind pulp and cook until it thickens slightly.
Mix with Rice: Add the cooked rice to the tamarind mixture along with roasted peanuts. Stir well, ensuring the rice is evenly coated.
Serve: Serve warm with a side of papad or curd.
Puliyodarai has a distinctive tangy and spicy flavor that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. It’s a perfect dish for those who love a bit of punch in their meals.
5. Shami Kebab: A Hearty Treat from the North
While sweets take center stage during Dussehra, savory dishes are equally important. In Northern India, Shami Kebab is often prepared during the festival to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama. These kebabs are made from minced meat, chana dal, and a blend of spices, offering a rich and hearty meal.
Recipe for Shami Kebab:
Ingredients:
- 500g minced mutton or chicken
- ½ cup chana dal
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Fresh coriander and mint leaves
- Ghee (for frying)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Cook the Minced Meat and Dal: In a pressure cooker, cook the minced meat and chana dal together until tender. Drain any excess water and blend into a coarse mixture.
Add Spices: Mix in the chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, fresh coriander, and mint leaves.
Shape the Kebabs: Form the mixture into small kebabs.
Fry the Kebabs: Heat ghee in a pan and fry the kebabs on both sides until golden brown.
Serve: Serve hot with mint chutney.
Shami Kebab is a flavorful and filling dish that adds a savory touch to the otherwise sweet-heavy Dussehra celebrations.
Food Brings People Together
Food during Dussehra is not just a meal; it’s a tradition that binds families and communities. The act of preparing and sharing food with loved ones enhances the spirit of togetherness. Each bite of a festive dish carries with it stories of tradition, love, and heritage.
As you celebrate Dussehra this year, why not try these delicious recipes and make the festival even more memorable? Whether it’s the sweetness of Puran Poli or the crispiness of Jalebi, these dishes are sure to add joy to your celebrations.
On this Festive season you can shop with maximum offers and discounts on Amazon Now with this Link.