Savor the Festival of Lights

On Saturday, October 25, Leena Ezekiel will be teaching a class celebrating the foods of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights.
Diwali or Deepavali is a major Hindu festival. For Indians there is no bigger occasion than Diwali. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On this day the Hindu God - King Rama - returned home to His Kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the Demon King Ravana.
It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year (a lunar calendar). People exchange gifts and sweets, many wear new clothes, clean and paint their homes and some families make large investments of gold and silver. It is considered an auspicious day to open new businesses and make investments.
Lakshmi Puja, the day of worship for the Goddess of Wealth, is also celebrated on Diwali and businessmen open new books of accounts on this day. Every home is brightly illuminated with small oil lamps. Doors and windows are left open and lights left burning all night, so that Goddess Lakshmi can enter your home and bring blessings for the coming year. Homemade sweets and desserts are prepared weeks ahead and are distributed to friends and neighbors. Children play with fireworks all night long and there is an atmosphere of festivity and celebration everywhere.
This year Diwali falls on October 28. In Good Taste and Leena Ezekial join together to highlight this most spectacular and joyous of Indian celebrations.
Leena will be preparing a traditional Indian holiday menu, featuring dishes such as Pooris, a Light and puffy deep-fried Indian festive breads, Karahai Gosht, spicy lamb with onions and green bell peppers, flavored with hints of Indian spices, Chana Daal, yellow lentils slow-simmered with whole spices, raisins and fresh coconut, Alloo Dam, whole small potatoes simmered in a hot spicy sauce, Pineapple Chutney, Besan Laddoos, a traditional Diwali sweet made with garbanzo bean flour and clarified butter, and Sooji Halwa, Semolina halwa made with ghee (clarified butter) and garnished with raisins and almonds.
If you love Indian food and customs, don’t miss this chance to peek into the depths of the culture. Each guest will be treated to traditional gifts. The room will be decorated with the traditional flowers and lights of this very festive holiday. Dress up in your finest Indian silks and come celebrate the festival of lights!

-Josie