Move Over Jalebi! Sindhi Gheeyar Is The Giant, Crunchy, And Irresistibly Sweet Treat You Need This Holi

Known as the festival of colours, Holi is all about vibrant colours, harmony, and flavours. Sweet treats are a big part of this festival, with gijuya and malpuas stealing the spotlight. For the Sindhi community, however, Holi is simply incomplete without a giant, crispy, golden-orange disc dripping with sugar syrup: Gheeyar! This lesser-known but beloved Sindhi delicacy is a once-a-year treat that makes a grand appearance only during Holi.

Gheeyar, A Sindhi Holi Delight

Often confused with jalebi or ghevar, Gheeyar is in a league of its own. Think of it as a bigger and crispier version of a syrup-soaked jalebi that looks like a ghevar. Some even refer to it as a Sindhi Jalebi, but that barely does justice to its uniqueness. Think of Gheeyar as a jalebi that hit the gym and got bigger and crunchier while borrowing some inspiration from ghevar.

For Sindhis, a Holi celebration is not just about playing with colours but also about indulging in delicious treats with family and friends. The highlight of this vibrant feast is definitely the Gheeyar, along with other traditional delicacies like praghree, dal nakul, etc. Thanks to its texture and addictive flavour with a hint of tang (from batter fermentation), it is the perfect Holi snack. Imagine biting into a big piece of gheeyar with a hot cup of chai after a long and tiring day of playing Holi. Is there a better way to end the festival? Certainly not!

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Make This Holi Treat At Home

Ingredients:

• 2 cups maida
• 1 cup water
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup curd (for fermentation)
• A pinch of orange food colour
• Desi ghee (for frying)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water (for sugar syrup)
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped dry fruits (for garnish)

Method:

1. Mix maida, baking soda, and curd to make a thick but flowing batter. Let it ferment for 4-5 hours for that perfect tangy touch. Add a bit of food colour if you want the classic deep orange look.
2. Take a deep pan or kadhai and heat a generous amount of desi ghee.
3. Fill the batter into a cloth or squeeze bottle with a small hole.
4. Hold it over the hot ghee and drizzle in a circular, random motion. A ring mould in the oil helps to keep its signature round shape.
5. Fry on medium heat until crisp and golden.
6. Boil sugar and water until it forms a one-string consistency syrup. Add cardamom powder for extra flavour.
7. Dip the fried Gheeyar in the syrup and let it soak for 30 seconds.
8. Sprinkle chopped dry fruits (pistachios, almonds, cashews) for the final touch.
9. Serve hot and crispy!

Gheeyar is an integral part of Holi that celebrates tradition and childhood memories. The joy of biting into something so crispy will certainly leave you licking your fingers. So this Holi, skip the usual and make this delicious Sindhi treat at home!

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

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