Story of Puran Poli - Peshwas Kitchen
Puran poli a traditional sweet made on Holi in many Maharashtrian homes. Karnataka, Andhra and Gujrati's have their own variations. Some recipes use jaggery know as "gud poli" or in some places sugar is used and spicing can be different.
It truly is an art to make puran polis!
And I guess only Mom's have this skill to make that perfect delicious poran-poli.
It is eaten with "Spicy Amti"(Tamirind Curry) in which spoonful of puran is added for that sweet taste which balances the spicy, sour taste of Amti.
But do you know why Puran Poli is eaten or why it is made on special day's like Holi, Bhai bej, Duseera or gudhi padwa ????
It comes from the kitchen or "Peshwas" to be more specific from " Sambhaji Raje's" kitchen as a victory food. Sambhaji Raje (son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) was very fond and particular about what and how food should be cooked into kitchen.
During late 17th century Maharashtrian food has evolved much. At that time Puran Polis were made specifically for the warriors who faught into battle feild at even won it. Probably it was consumed as victory food. Puran Polis were made and allowed to eat only by warriors as token of reward for sucess and victory. Just like we get bounses promotion for our best work.
Similarly, today we celebrate our samll or big wins by having pizzas or desserts.It also has mentions and origin of recepie and roots in a Sanskrit encyclopedia "Manasoullasa". There are many versions made in different places like Andhara- Puran has spices like saffron, cardamoms (elichi) etc., Karnataka- Bananas are used in making Puran (stuffing/filling), Gujrat(Vadodra) loaded with ghee and Puran is mushy and sticky, Maharashtra- Jaggery/gur is used into Puran filling, Goa & Kokan - use of coconut and coconut oil etc.
But today it is made it every household... And why because it also has a story, One day a father and a son from a small village of Nagpur, Maharashtra were craving for Puran Poli but it is served only to warriors. There war no going in battlefield to be called them as warriors. But, they decided to fight among themselves, so they went out somewhere far pretended to faight among themselves for a week. When they both returned to village it seemed they had a big fight in battel ground and villagers thought they might have won some big war, they fed them with Puran Poli as the reward for their victory. ( ;-) no one knew what the truth wa). But this yummiest thing "Puran Poli" was worth fighting a war maybe...
And from that day on every auspicious days just like Holi, Dussera, Bhai Bhej as these days are considered victory days... Puran Poli is made and enjoyed in every Maharashtrian household.
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I hope you were glad to read this as much as I was to share with you all.
Lesson :- Celebrate even your smallest wins.
Thanks for reading!!
Nice
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