Puran Poli

Puran Poli is a traditional Indian sweet flatbread popular in several regions of India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is also found in the cuisines of the neighboring countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Etymology

The term "Puran Poli" comes from the Marathi words 'Puran' meaning 'sweet filling' and 'Poli' meaning 'bread'.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of Puran Poli are chana dal (split yellow gram), jaggery, plain flour, cardamom powder, and ghee (clarified butter). The preparation involves cooking chana dal, mashing it, and then mixing it with jaggery and cardamom powder to make the sweet filling, known as Puran. The Poli is made from plain flour dough. The Puran is then stuffed into the Poli and rolled out before being cooked on a hot griddle with ghee.

Cultural Significance

Puran Poli is often prepared during various Indian festivals and celebrations such as Gudi Padwa, Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and others. It is considered a delicacy and is a significant part of the Indian cultural and culinary heritage.

Regional Variations

Different regions in India have their own variations of Puran Poli. For instance, in Maharashtra, it is made with a stuffing of chana dal and jaggery, while in Gujarat, toor dal (split pigeon pea) is used instead of chana dal. In the southern states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Holige and Bobbattu respectively, and is made with a variety of fillings including lentils, coconut, and jaggery.

See Also

• Indian cuisine
• List of Indian breads
• List of Indian sweets and desserts