Ghughute
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Fried sweets of wheat flour and jaggery in shapes such as birds, drums and swords, made for Ghughutiya (Makar Sankranti) in Kumaon.
Region: Kumaon, UttarakhandOccasion: Ghughutiya / Uttarayani (Makar Sankranti, mid-January)Time: 1 hr 30 minServes: About 40 piecesVegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups wheat flour
- ¾ cup jaggery, melted in ½ cup water
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee for the dough
- Oil for frying
Method
- Strain the jaggery water and let it cool.
- Rub the oil and fennel into the flour, then knead with jaggery water into a firm dough.
- Roll small pieces into thin ropes and twist them into shapes: the ghughut (a bird shape), drums, swords, flowers and so on.
- Fry on medium heat until golden brown and crisp.
- Children string the ghughute with oranges into garlands to wear the next morning.
History
Ghughutiya is a Kumaoni festival at Makar Sankranti that marks the sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan).
Significance
On the morning after the festival, children wear ghughute garlands and call out to crows, ‘Kale kauwa kale, ghughuti mala khale’, inviting them to eat the sweets. The festival also marks the return of longer days after winter.