More than Modak: Traditional Maharashtrian Sweets to Try this Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner, and as much as we love welcoming Bappa to our humble abodes, what we love more is the food! While ukadiche modak are in the spotlight during this season, various other traditional Maharashtrian sweets are equally delicious. So, if you're tired of modak, check out these alternative cultural desserts to try. From Shrikhand to Puran Poli, let the festivities begin!

Patolyaat Nav Chaitanya

We bet you can almost smell this! The mouth-watering Patolya are slow steamed and wrapped in turmeric leaves. A beloved treat in most regions of Konkan, Patolya are made with a stuffing of freshly grated coconut, silky rice flour paste and jaggery. While in Mumbai, we can find the majority of homes celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with modak; on the western coast of India, the naivedyam is usually a plate full of steaming hot Patolya. The best place to try this sweet treat in Mumbai is Nav Chaitanya. Their quality and taste are exceptionally good! 

Where: D.N Nagar, Andheri West

Gul Poli at Panshikar

Often overshadowed by Puran Poli is Gul Poli, another traditional Maharashtrian sweet. This flaky yet soft bread is made during winter to keep the body warm. Loaded with naturally heat-generating ingredients like jaggery, sesame, poppy seeds, nutmeg and more, Gul Poli is mostly prepared during Makar Sankranti. And, the only place in Mumbai where you’ll find drool-worthy Gul Poli is none other than Panshikar! So, visit the outlet nearest you, and pack a few yummy polis for a Ganesh Chaturthi feast. 

Where: Check your nearest outlet. 

Sheera at Aaswad

Sometimes, even the simplest of foods will leave you in awe! Sheera is a sweet prepared extensively in many cultures. If you want to give your tummy a break from modak hogging, then Sheera is the right choice. It is a traditional dessert made using Semolina, dry fruits, saffron, sugar or jaggery. However, one can also find a variety of sheeras like Pineapple Sheera, Gud Sheera, Atta ka Sheera and more. Local Samosa recommends Aaswad to try one of the best sheeras in the city!

Where: Dadar West

Basundi at Gaurav Sweets

Basundi is an Indian sweet mostly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is a sweetened condensed milk made by boiling milk on low heat until the milk is reduced by half. In North India, a similar dish goes by the name rabri. It also comes in another form, Angoor Basundi. A rigorous preparation that takes almost two to three hours to make, but a must-have for your Ganesh Chaturthi sweet tooth. Gaurav Sweets is a current crowd-favourite, and their quality is unmatched! 

Where: Check your nearest outlet.

Shrikhand at Parsi Dairy Farm 

A traditional Maharashtrian and Gujarati staple in almost every festival, Shrikhand is a popular Indian sweet. The silky yet creamy consistency, paired with crunchy dry fruits and generous amounts of cardamom, makes this dessert a must-try. Paired usually with puri, Shrikhand also has its versions. One can find the classic Shrikhand, Amrakhand, which is a mango version, and more. Parsi Dairy Farm offers delicious shrikhand, made with pure, whole milk. The next time you have puris, add a big dollop of creamy Shrikhand on top and enjoy. 

Where: Princess Street