Rainy days evoke nostalgia and a craving for warm, comforting foods. Odisha, with its rich culinary heritage, offers a plethora of dishes perfect for enjoying during a downpour.
Here are some Odia comfort foods best savoured while it’s raining, making rainy days even more enjoyable.
Pakhala Bhata: A fermented rice dish soaked overnight, served with fried vegetables, badi chura, & green chillies. Its cool, tangy flavour is refreshing even on rainy days.
Santula: A nutritious vegetable stew made with pumpkin, potato, brinjal, and raw papaya. Cooked with minimal spices, its warmth contrasts perfectly with cold, rainy weather.
Khichdi: A one-pot dish of rice & lentils enriched with vegetables & seasoned with ghee, cumin seeds, & ginger. Served hot, it’s delicious & easy to digest, ideal for monsoons.
Dalma: Lentils cooked with vegetables like pumpkin, potato, & brinjal, flavoured with panch phoran & ghee. Its rich, warming flavours are perfect for rainy days.
Alu Bhaja: Crispy fried potatoes seasoned with salt and turmeric, paired with hot rice and dal for a satisfying crunch on a rainy day.
Bara: A popular snack made from urad dal batter and spices, deep-fried to golden perfection. Enjoyed with ghugni or chutney, these fritters are an irresistible treat.
Nadia Bara: Coconut fritters made from grated coconut, rice flour, and spices, deep-fried to golden perfection. A delightful snack to munch on while enjoying the rain.
Kakara Pitha: Traditional deep-fried sweet cakes made from rice flour and jaggery. The sweet flavour of jaggery and crispy texture make this a rainy season favourite.
Chakuli Pitha: Rice pancakes similar to dosa but thicker and softer, served with spicy aloo bharta (mashed potatoes) or ghugni. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or snack.