New Delhi: From succulent dates to popular sheer kurma, from delicious shahi tukda to mouth-watering paneer jalebi - these traditional sweets attract people from all walks to the walled city in the Indian capital during the holy month of Ramadan.
As Eid-ul-Fitr nears, the lanes and bylanes of the Jama Masjid are packed with people who go around from stall to stall tasting their offerings.
IANS interacted with a few sweet shop owners and makers and Muslim housewives to share their recipes of traditional sweets to celebrate the festivities in the comfort of one's home.
Sheer Kurma: This is an easy dish to prepare at home and a must-have on Eid. It takes only 40 minutes to cook this, said Kusum Khan, a housewife.
For preparing the dish, first heat sewaiyan (vermicelli) in butter until it turns golden brown. Then add sugar and milk and cook until sugar is fully dissolved. Now add dry fruits, dates, chiraunji (charoli) and rose water. Further cook it for 5-7 minutes on slow heat.
Sheer Korma is ready and can be served both hot or cold, after garnishing it with cardamom powder.
Paneer Jalebi: This is one of the most selling sweets in the month of Ramadan, said Arif Siddiqui, a sweet shop owner near Jama Masjid.
Make a smooth dough by mixing maida (flour), milk, a pinch of baking powder and paneer (cottage cheese). Now shape the dough into small jalebis (spiral shapes) and deep fry it in pure ghee over slow fire, until it appears crisp and golden.
After frying, immediately put jalebis into chashni (sugar syrup) for at least 10 minutes. Serve hot or cold after garnishing it with silver leaf.
