In Bengal, the blend of seasons and festivals create a multi-coloured melange, that throb with the life pulse. One such season is ‘Poush’ – the first month of winter. There is usually an influx of visitors to Shantiniketan in Bengal – the land of folk art and culture – for the Poush Mela (a cultural fair) dating back to 1894.
However growing up, I would identify Poush with one of the following (blame the foodie me!):
1. My Thamma (paternal grandmother) visiting us with boxes of ‘Joynagarer Moa’ (seasonal Bengali sweet) and ‘Patali Gur’ (date palm jaggery).
2. My Didu making all the traditional delicacies – pithes, patishaptas and malpuas.
I try to make these sweets at home every year during the winter and it warms up my old soul. It is my attempt to get a whiff of nostalgia. This year I tried my hands at making a savoury version. Try it out and let me know if you liked it.