A guide to Bengal's winter delicacy: Pithe-puli

Pithe-puli season is here! While there are many varieties or versions of these seasonal treats, let's explore a few of these beloved winter delicacies that delight the Bengali palate. 

Patishapta: Delicate crepes made with rice flour, rolled around a luscious filling of coconut or khoya. A drizzle of nolen gur adds the perfect winter touch. 

Doodh Puli: Crescent-shaped rice flour dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, simmered in thick, sweetened milk — a comforting bowl of tradition.

Bhapa Pithe: These steamed rice flour parcels are filled with jaggery and coconut. Traditionally prepared in earthen pots, they sometimes feature savoury fillings too. 

Nakshi Pithe: Rice flour pithe adorned with intricate naksha (patterns), then dipped in sweet syrup — edible art passed down through generations. 

Moong Dal Pithe: These are also known as Moog Daler Bhaja Pithe or Moong Puli. The crispy dumplings with a shell made from boiled moong dal and rice flour, usually have a sweet filling of grated coconut and nolen gur. They are sometimes also served as fritters with savoury fillings.

Gokul Pithe: Golden-fried dumplings with a coconut-jaggery heart, soaked in fragrant syrup until they're soft and sweet. 

Rosh Bora: Soft urad dal (biuli or kolai dal in Bengali) fritters bathed in warm sugar syrup — a nostalgic taste of winter afternoons.

Chitoi Pithe: Also known as Shanjher Pithe (after the vessel it is made in), these simple steamed or pan-cooked rice cakes are best enjoyed warm with a generous pour of nolen gur and coconut shavings. 

Ranga Alur Puli: Sweet potato dumplings with a soul of coconut and date palm jaggery, fried to a deep golden hue and soaked in fragrant jaggery syrup.

Choshi Pithe: Hand-rolled rice vermicelli, delicate as silk, cooked into a fragrant payesh with milk — with or without jaggery. 

Shoru Chakli: Soft rice and urad dal crepes (neutral or slightly savoury) flavoured with fennel seeds — a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth pithe traditionally enjoyed during Poush Sankranti.