Today, 13th January is Lohri, a winter festival of India- important in the Sikh and Hindu calendar. The festival is celebrated on the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in Punjab It marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season.
During the day children are given sweets, jaggery (sugar cane) peanuts to eat as snacks. In the evening people gather around community bonfires, singing songs, and offering rewri sesame seeds, nuts, peanuts, popcorns and sugar cane to the fire.
For the main course, sarson da saag (spinach) and makki di roti (cornflour chapattis) are eaten. Sarson da saag is a mixture of wilted greens including mustard greens and spinach. They are cooked in a little water until completely wilted.
Can be served with home made paneer (Indian cheese) and for an extra yumminess a knob of butter.
RECIPES FOR SARSON DA SAAG AND MAKKI DI ROTI TO FOLLOW
