Festivals are incomplete without authentic traditional delicacies. The Bengali community celebrates many festivals, large or small, throughout the year. Cooking traditional dishes was a part of the festivities even in the past. The traditional dishes of Bengal cooked during festivals are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Here is a summary of the top 20 dishes prepared in Bengal during festivals:
1.Radhaballabhi And Alur Dom
This recipe is devoid of onion and garlic. It is suitable for consumption on the days of fasting. They are wheat flour puris stuffed with pulses. They taste well with Bengali-style dum aloo.
2.Kosha Mangsho
Kosha Mangsho is a delicious mutton curry, a favorite of food lovers in Bengal. It is cooked on slow heat and has simple ingredients in a mix of spices that render it a rich flavor.
3.Patisapta
These are famous dessert preparations, mainly during Makar Sankranti. These have rice flour, refined flour, semolina, coconut, and jaggery and taste best with milk.
4.Payesh (Kheer)
It is the Bengali version of the North Indian kheer. This recipe contains rice, milk, cashews, raisins, and bay leaf. Cardamom and jaggery help to add a unique flavor to the dessert. Payesh is an enjoyable dish prepared during auspicious occasions like birthdays or on the days of puja.
5.Moong Dal Khichdi
It is a one-pot dish cooked using roasted yellow lentils, rice, vegetables, and simple spices. It tastes delicious with fried potatoes or brinjals. It does not require onion and garlic.
6.Bengali Mixed Vegetable Curry
Bengali Mixed Vegetable Curry is basically a mixed vegetable curry famous in Kolkata and Bangladesh. It is a must-have dish during the puja festivals and also Bengali New Year. Its unique taste results from five spices.
7.Bengali Aloo Dum
This dish is among the first few items of a wedding dinner. The Bengali-style preparation does not have gravy. The distinct aroma comes from ginger, green chilies, and spices. It does not have onion or garlic.
8.Bengali Fish Fry
These golden brown delicious fries are similar to cutlets. It is a fast-selling street food in Bengal. Fish fillets are marinated in a spicy paste, then dipped in eggs, smeared in bread crumbs, and deep fried. It tastes well with onions and mustard dip.
9.Basanti Pulao
This traditional preparation is devoid of gluten and tastes well with the Bengali-style mutton curry. Basanti pulao is a must-try dish during many festive occasions. The yellow rice preparation contains dry fruits, nuts, sugar, and the moisture of ghee.
10.Rasgulla
These creamy, spongy balls loaded with sugar syrup are famous desserts native to Bengal. Sugar syrup, milk, and cottage cheese are the main ingredients. It is juicy and delicious.
11.Nolen Gurer Sandesh
These sweets are an integral part of every sweet shop in Bengal, especially during winter. It gets its unique taste from the date palm jaggery and cottage cheese. The after-taste of these sweets makes you crave more.
12.Chanar Dalna
It is a unique Bengali vegetarian dish made during festivals and special occasions. The recipe includes Bengali cottage cheese and potatoes. It is a simple, creamy preparation with a modest touch of spices.
13.Pitha
This dish is a specialty, especially during Makar Sankranti. Pitha has rice flour in it. Jaggery and shredded coconut help to elevate the taste.
14.Kucho Nimki
These are snack items in rhombus shape. They contain all-purpose flour, salt seasoning, and some nigella seeds. Kucho (small) Nimki is a part of all festivals, including Durga Puja.
15.Bengali Samosa
Bengali Samosa is another mouth-watering snack preferred as an evening snack with tea. The main attraction is the stuffing of boiled potatoes, green peas, peanuts, and different condiments.
16.Mochar Chop
These lip-smacking cutlets contain banana flowers. Its filling has the inner part of banana flowers, peanuts, ginger, and roasted rice spices. It tastes delicious with mustard sauce, ketchup, and salads.
17.Narkel Naru
It is a dessert made of shredded coconut and date palm jaggery. They are coconut laddoos made in the households and are available in sweet shops.
18.Kumror Chokka
The main ingredients of this delicacy are sweet pumpkin and gram. Dry roasted spices and the drizzle of ghee make this dish tempting. It does not require onion or garlic.
19.Shorshe Begun
Whether you prefer a mild or spicy curry, you will love this dish. Brinjals and a paste of mustard seeds and poppy seeds are the main ingredients of this simple recipe. It is cooked in mustard oil to add the aroma and the long-lasting after-taste.
20.Bengali Cholar Dal
This recipe contains split Bengal gram and whole spices. You can add coconut and some ghee to make it tasty. It does not have onion on garlic, so it is suitable for any ceremonial occasion or pujas.
