The word Monsoon is derived from the Arabic word "mausim", meaning a shift in season or wind. With a splash of raindrops, the flora and fauna spring up to new life, giving us every reason to enjoy the rainy season to its utmost. Children love to float paper boats and jump into the puddles but what every one of us enjoys the most is spicy, tangy, and sweet delights chaffed by our mothers and grandmothers. Walking down the memory lane drenched with drizzling rain, let's have a taste of some sizzling and sugary delights.
Ghevar
Monsoon welcomes a string of festivals, and Ghevar a specialty of Rajasthani cuisine, sweetens these festivities. Ghevar is a honeycomb-like disc-shaped sweet cake made from Besan (chickpea flour), ghee, milk, and sugar. Garnished with the toppings of mawa (dry fruits), saffron, cardamom powder, and malai or rabdi, this delicacy adorns the celebration of Teej and Raksha Bandhan during the month of Shravan.
Corn or Bhutta
Corn or Maize is famous street food in India during Monsoon. The Corn on the cob is best enjoyed when roasted on coals and garnished with spices and lemon juice. Boiled or steamed Corn blended with butter, spices, and a dash of lemon juice is favorite among the youngsters. The taste of roasted Bhutta drenches the palate and is a must-try delight during the downpour.
Sizzling Spicy Pakodas
Since time immemorial Pakodas have been a favorite snack throughout the Indian subcontinent. Think of any vegetable and your Granny would be ready with the spicy mouth-watering fritters made from it. Pakodas are made by coating vegetables like onions, potatoes, brinjal, paneer, spinach, cauliflower, etc., in a spicy batter (mainly besan), which are then fried in mustard oil. The tangy and spicy Pakodas when served with green chutney or tamarind sauce, sprinkles the taste buds with the same mesmerizing effect as that of soaking rain.
Lauki ki Lauj
Bottle gourd or Lauki is a staple vegetable in the Indian kitchens during the days of fasting. Lauki ki lauj is a sweet delicacy made from grated bottle gourd cooked in ghee and milk. Seasoned with cardamom powder, pistachios, and almonds this unique dessert is sure to kill the gloominess of the grey weather during Monsoon.
Ginger Tea with Samosa
Samosa originates in Persian culture but is well adapted to Indian cuisine with its spicy and tangy flavor. Getting cozy on a couch beside a window pane with a hot cup of Ginger tea and samosa and enjoying the splashing of raindrops, feels heavenly. The famous Indian ginger tea, being a good immunity booster, is spiced up with fried or baked triangular pastry stuffed with mashed potatoes seasoned with coriander, green chilies, and a whole lot of spices. The blended taste of outer crispy crust and savory filling fills your nostrils with an aroma and tingles the taste buds when served with chilly green chutney.
Fruit chaat
Originating in Northern India, Chaat, the finger-licking savory snack has gained popularity globally. Exotic fruits being abundantly available during the rainy season in tropical countries, has found their way into the Chaat family. The seasonal fruits like Cherry, Plum, Banana, Guava, Peach, Pear, and fresh red Apples are chopped and sprinkled with the goodness of chaat masala. Just like the rainbow in the clouds, this fruit bowl depicts the radiance of colors loaded with health benefits.
Gourd
Different types of gourds include Pumpkin, Bottle gourd (lauki), bitter gourd (Karela), cucumbers, snake and ridge gourd, etc. Due to the scarcity of green leafy vegetables in the rainy season, all types of Gourds are loaded with health benefits as well as give your palate a flurry of flavors from tangy to sweet. Gourds being a staple food in India can be used in vegetables, stews, soups, and salads. When eaten in raw or in cooked form, these vegetables purify the blood and are an excellent ingredient for weight loss.
The Monsoon sky may seem to be gloomy at times but the freshness and lush green landscape around us make us believe in a fresh and green life after a storm. Like the liquid Sunshine on a rainy day, our mood gets alleviated with a plethora of Indian culinary delights. So enjoy a rainy day with a spicy or a sugary delight and spruce up your lives with positive energy. You can also try our curated artisanal snack boxes holding a variety of local snacks from every corner of the country.