The enchanting festival of Diwali is just around the corner. What better way to usher in the celebrations than by indulging in the tradition of having and exchanging sweets? In Alappuzha, there is a 30-year-old Gujarati sweet shop that smells heavenly during Diwali. Forget traditional Kerala sweets; this year, it’s all about the Gujarati sweets taking over at the New Gujarati Sweet Center.
The New Gujarati Sweet Center in Alappuzha has been serving Gujarati-style sweets for the past three decades. As soon as you step into the shop, you are welcomed by the tantalizing aroma of ghee, cardamom, and roasted nuts. The shop is famous for its sweet box, which includes a variety of sweets such as Jalebi, Peda, Barfi, Mohanthal, Laddu, and many more. People flock here to indulge in their delicious sweets.
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Here’s what you can try at the New Gujarati Sweet Center:
Up first on the menu – Pedas. They’re round, flat, and sweet. This dessert has an adorable name and a healthy recipe that uses milk, sugar, ghee, and elaichi powder. All of these ingredients provide both flavour and health benefits, making them suitable for people of all ages. Pedas are soft in texture, which makes them easy for children to consume. Then comes the Laddu – small, round, and with the potential to roll straight into your heart.
Halwasan is a type of halwa that is quite famous in Gujarat, India. It is mostly used by Gujaratis for religious purposes, especially during family pujas or on special occasions. This sweet dish is a signature of Gujarati cuisine, and it is made from a unique combination of dry fruits, ghee, wheat flour, flavours, syrups, and water. It can be served as a delicious dessert after dinner to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ghari sweets are made from “Milk Mawa,” a combination of milk and khoa, which is rich in proteins and calcium. Originating from Gujarat, this healthy, sweet dish has a rich history of being consumed to increase strength. Ghari comes in a variety of flavours, including pistachio, almond-elachi, and mawa, to satisfy every palate.
Jalebi is a South Asian sweet made by deep-frying batter made from maida flour (plain flour or all-purpose flour) in pretzel or circular shapes, which are then soaked in sugar syrup. It is usually eaten with curd or rabri (in North India) along with optional flavours such as kewra (scented water).
Soan Papdi is a popular North Indian sweet that has a cube-like structure, making it look elegant and cute. It is a mouth-watering treat that no one can resist. The ingredients used to make Soan Papdi include sugar, gram flour, ghee, milk, and cardamom.
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Mohanthal is a dish that contains all healthy and royal ingredients such as almonds, chickpea flour, ghee, sugar, milk, and pistachio nuts. It is known to be a healthy dish and is usually served during the festivals of Diwali and Janmashtami.
Gud Papdi is a quick and authentic sweet from Gujarat. It contains ‘gud’ or jaggery, which is not only delicious but also healthy for the skin and brain. The three main ingredients in this dish are ghee, wheat flour, and jaggery. It is usually served during festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Teej and is enriched with dry fruits.
Barfi is a sweet dish made from khoya and milk, which comes in different flavours such as chocolate, vanilla, and mawa. Although it is easily found anywhere, Gujaratis find it special and unique.
Alappuzha is well-known for its traditional Kerala food, but the addition of a Gujarati Sweet shop adds a diverse and enriching dimension to the culinary delights of the region. Each bite of these Gujarati sweets is a perfect blend of tradition and celebration, with rich flavours, premium ingredients, and meticulous craftsmanship that truly reflect the shop’s commitment to making our Diwali a truly memorable experience.
Head to the New Gujarati Sweet Center in Alappuzha and let the sweetness of their offerings illuminate your Diwali celebrations.
Location – Civil Station Ward, Alappuzha, Kerala
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