Festivals are a celebration of togetherness and food. While everyone looks forward to the traditional festive meal, it is the fresh snacks that excite me. My mother would sit by the stove with a large wok of hot oil, frying one snack after another. I would keep pacing around the kitchen, hoping to grab a taste, but Amma always kept a watchful eye on me.
Once the snacks are ready, she would store them in steel cans and place them on the top shelf. That’s when we siblings team up and stay focused. Together, we three make plans to reach them even from the highest shelves!
That’s not the end. The real problem starts after we successfully grabbed the snacks and found a cozy corner to enjoy them- which snack to choose first? The crispy Murukulu, the crunchy Chegodi, or the spicy Masala Peanuts? The dilemma is real because every single snack is irresistible. My brother, the eldest, would always vote for Boondi Mixture. I think he likes the mix of flavours - spicy, salty and crunchy. My sister and I would vote for plain Boondi. This would start playful debates as we three defend our favourites.
After all these years, the same confusion still lingers. I know it is hard to decide which snack to enjoy first. I know it’s even harder to settle for just one! To make things easier, I have brought together the perfect combo of Murukulu, Chegodi, Masala Peanuts, Boondi Mixture, and Boondi. They can be enjoyed as a snack, a side dish and also with your tea. Now, you do not have to choose. You just have to enjoy them one after the other starting with your favourite just like we did.