Winter culinary indulgence

The food capital of Punjab, Amritsar, has a lot to offer in terms of healthy and sinfully tasty winter food delights. Tribune Correspondent Neha Saini and lensman Sunil Kumar take a tour down the lanes of the city to capture sumptuous delicacies.

A city where food is celebrated and relished to the core, Amritsar, has a lot of offer in terms of seasonal delicacies. If you are not the one to count calories and are happy to add some layers to your body during winter, the city has along list of comfort food that will definitely titillate your taste buds. From munchies to street food and desserts, some of these foods are exclusively made in the city during winter.

Til bhugga is a variety found in the walled city.

Beginning with the most popular and exclusive winter staple, Khajoor is a traditional Amritsari sweet, which is particularly prepared near the festival of Lohri. The sweet is available in the local markets from the last week of December till Lohri, making it a novelty for the local residents and tourists. It is made of flour which is fried in ghee. The product is then kept in a cool place for selling it and can last for a week.

Dates (khajoor) is a staple during the winter season.

Another exclusively made winter sweet is til bhugga, the best ones found near the Durgiana Temple. Some of the sweet shops in the city have only been making til bhugga since the past 75 years and supply it worldwide.

Spiced sweet potato and water chestnuts.

Amritsari fish is another example of why the city enjoys the status of being a foodies paradise. The two popular varieties found here are Sol and Singhara.

Amritsari khajoor is not a date, but a deep-fried pastry.

While the wholesome meals like sarson ka saag and makki ki roti can be relished anywhere, the quick bites and sweets featured here make winter food platter more tempting.

Gur ka halwa, the ghee-soaked version of regular halwa.
Batte ka doodh is served with saffron and dry fruits.
Gajar ka halwa is served with thick layer of khoya, kewra and nuts.

In a city where mercury drops below zero during peak winter, kada doodh helps in keeping body warm.
Gajjak made from jaggery, peanuts, flowers and dry fruits is the most humble winter offering.
A winter essential, bhugga, is made from sesame seeds, milk solids, nuts and raisins.
Fish is a staple winter food, which city offers. One can enjoy from deep-fried fish to smoky tikkas .

Winter culinary indulgence
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