Ganesh Chaturthi sweet treats to look forward to

Festivities are incomplete without food. And Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi brings with it a plethora of dishes that are relished during the 10-day festival, whether it’s ukdiche modak, ladoo, kadubu, or payasam. Here are some dishes to take note of, as we are about to start the festive season with Ganesh Chaturthi.

Modaks are without a doubt, the most popular Ganesh Chaturthi treat that there is. These sweet, rice flour steamed dumplings, filled with a mixture of jaggery, and coconut is considered to be Lord Ganesha's favourite food. Different versions of the steamed rice dumplings are prepared across India for celebrating festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankranti and others.

Ladoo is another popular sweet made from various ingredients like besan (gram flour), rava (semolina), or boondi (tiny, fried chickpea flour balls). They are usually sweetened with sugar and flavoured with cardamom. Coconut ladoo, made with condensed milk and dry-roasted coconut, is one of the traditional sweets that’s served during Ganesh Chaturthi.

One of the most popular dishes during the festivities is Sheera is traditionally made with semolina, sugar, ghee, dry fruits and nuts. However, ingredients like banana is also added and served as an offering.

Payasam finds its spot in South Indian households. Traditionally made with rice, cooked in milk, jaggery, coconut, and cardamom, it’s one of those dishes that can be rustled up at home in a jiffy. You can also take your pick from suji, sabudana, and lentil among other ingredients to make a delish payasam. This exists in other forms and names across several Indian states.

Known as Kadubu in Karnataka and Kudumu in Andra Pradesh and Telangana, this dumpling usually comes with a filling of jaggery and lentil, or coconut and jaggery. It’s a staple not only during Vinayaka Chaturthi but also for Varalakshmi Vratham and Dasara Navratri. This can be sweet or savoury, stuffed or not.