Diwali, A Festival of Flavors (2024)

Hira Shaikh

min read

One of the most awaited Hindu holidays is Diwali. It is a festival of lights and a festival of flavors. See below, our exquisite quick recipe for everyone’s favorite mithai. In the Gregorian calendar, the festival generally falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali signifies the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." Read more about “Diwali, Dharma, and Resistance” here.

Giving Back:
During Diwali, people are strongly encouraged to give back to the community. There are many different non profit organizations that do charity work, especially during Diwali. They include centers for the deaf, handmade cards made by underprivileged children whose proceeds go towards their education, organizations working for the betterment of orphans, and centers providing education for children from low-income families.

Preparing for Diwali:
As Diwali begins to approach, people start preparing for it in advance by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes, temples, and workplaces. Paper lampshades are a novel oriental way of decorating on Diwali. Other decorations include creative and colorful rangolis, diwali torans, diyas, and flowers. During this festive celebration, people light up the interior and exterior of their homes with oil lamps and candles because it is believed that the Goddess Lakshmi graces those homes which are brightly illuminated on Diwali with wealth and prosperity. Additionally, people wear their finest clothes and offer puja to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and take part in big family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are given.

Diwali is a good time to indulge in delicious foods and sweets without feeling guilty. With that being said, looking for an easy mithai recipe to wow your guests at your next Diwali party? We got you covered with this easy fingerlicking coconut Ladoo recipe that will leave your guests wondering about it for days.

Crazy for Coconut Ladoos:

Ingredients:
• 1 and ½ cups of desiccated coconut
• 1(14 ounces) can of condensed milk
• ½ cup of chopped pistachios
• 1 tsp of cardamom powder
• 4tsp of desiccated coconut for garnishing
• 1 tsp of oil
• Cupcake liners (optional)

Directions:
1) In a wide pan on low heat, add the desiccated coconut milk and keep stirring.
2) Add cardamom powder, condensed milk, and chopped pistachios and keep stirring until the mixture begins to come together.
3) Add the mixture into a bowl and let it cool
4) Grease your hands with oil and take small portions of the mixture and roll them into bite size ladoos.
5) Roll the ladoos in coconut and place them into cupcake liners.
6) Refrigerate in an airtight container until it’s ready to be served.