Have you started enjoying the festivities and celebrations of Diwali? No Indian festival can ever be complete without spending time with our loved ones and gorging on loads of yummy delicacies. Similarly, Diwali also has a lot of food traditions that are followed by devotees in different parts of India. There’s a ritual of eating jimikand or suran (Elephant Foot Yam) at the festival. Eating this vegetable is an absolute must in many households. Read on to know this custom’s significance and the benefits of adding this to the diet.
Why Do People Cook Jimikand Or Suran During Diwali?
Eating this vegetable is an auspicious part of this glorious festival’s many celebrations. Devotees of Varanasi follow the ritual of cooking jimikand on the day of Diwali and eat the cooked recipe. Most households in the city follow the tradition of cooking the vegetable on Diwali and they have been following this for years. If you are wondering what is the reason behind including this specific vegetable in the ritual, here’s all you need to know about the significance.
There’s a beautiful auspicious relationship between jimikand and the festival of Diwali. It is believed that the vegetable brings wealth, prosperity, and happiness to the family if someone eats it at the festival of lights. We all know that suran grows inside the soil. While farmers harvest it, some parts of the vegetables get left on the soil. Once again, these grow in the next harvesting season.
Diwali is all about celebrating the festival that resonates with growth and prosperity. People of Varanasi cook and eat Elephant Foot Yam as an auspicious celebration. These are some religious beliefs that have been continuing for years, generation after generation.
Also read: 23 Diwali Gifts For 2023 That Will Leave Your Loved Ones Happy!
There Are Tons Of Health Benefits Of Eating The Vegetable
It is true that jimikand is associated with some religious beliefs but there are so many more reasons why foodies enjoy eating dishes prepared with the Elephant Foot Yam. Every bite of suran is a punch of health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants, this vegetable is an excellent source of protein, fibre, vitamins, and fats. It is said that it works well to decrease the level of bad cholesterol by increasing good cholesterol in the body with its omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, it shows results in dealing with lowering inflammation as well. Adding jimikand to the diet is an excellent idea as it helps in boosting immunity as well.
Don’t judge a book by its cover and never judge suran by its looks of the outside and peels. It is true that the vegetable does not look that appealing like the winter seasonal veggies but trust me, it tastes absolutely delicious. There are different types of recipes that you can try with Elephant Foot Yam. From a simple veg sabzi curry to cooking it with prawns to even making salty chips, there are tons of ways to add suran to your diet.
Also read: Diwali 2023: 11 Restaurants In Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru To Have A Delicious Diwali Feast!
Now that you know all about the significance of eating jimikand on Diwali and its advantages on our immunity and health, will you be eating it often?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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