Pongal 2024: 7 dishes which are essential on Pongal

Pongal, the three-day Tamil harvest pageant, is a time of pleasure, gratitude, and feasting. As households come collectively to have fun the bountiful harvest, the culinary panorama comes alive with an array of conventional dishes that symbolise abundance and prosperity. As we have fun Pongal, here’s a checklist of seven must-have dishes that enrich the Pongal celebration, providing a sensory journey by the flavours of this vibrant pageant.
Pongal (Candy and Savoury)
The pageant takes its title from the long-lasting Pongal dish. Candy Pongal, made with jaggery, rice, and lentils, symbolises sweetness and prosperity. Savoury Pongal, cooked with rice and lentils and tempered with black pepper and cumin, embodies the essence of the harvest season. These two variations are central to Pongal festivities, marking a scrumptious begin to the celebration.
Ven Pongal
Ven Pongal, also referred to as Khara Pongal, is a savoury delicacy that mixes rice and lentils, seasoned with black pepper, cumin, and ghee. This comforting dish is commonly served with a aspect of spicy coconut chutney and tangy sambar, making a harmonious mix of flavours.

Sakkarai Pongal
Sakkarai Pongal, the candy counterpart to Ven Pongal, is a tasty dessert made with rice, jaggery, ghee, and cashews. This wealthy and fragrant candy deal with signifies the sweetness of life and is a must have through the Pongal festivities.

Coconut Chutney
A traditional accompaniment to varied Pongal dishes, Coconut Chutney is a flavourful mix of freshly grated coconut, inexperienced chilies, and roasted gram. Its mild and refreshing style complement the richness of Pongal, creating a pleasant stability in each chew.
Sambar
Pongal celebrations are incomplete with out the fragrant and tangy Sambar. Loaded with quite a lot of greens, lentils, and a singular mix of spices, Sambar enhances the eating expertise by including a burst of flavours to the festive unfold.

Medu Vada
Crispy on the surface and gentle on the within, Medu Vada is a savoury doughnut-shaped delight that provides a pleasant crunch to the Pongal feast. Paired with coconut chutney and sambar, these fried lentil fritters are a preferred selection through the pageant.
Payasam
Pongal celebrations conclude on a candy notice with the indulgence of Payasam, a luscious rice pudding made with milk, rice, jaggery, and an assortment of nuts and raisins. This creamy dessert symbolises the richness and sweetness that Pongal brings into folks’s lives.
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(Pictures courtesy: Canva)