Diwali Sweets Available in Philadelphia for Festival of Lights Celebrations
As the Festival of Lights approaches on Monday, October 20, the vibrant markets of India come alive with a festive atmosphere, drawing crowds eager to partake in the tradition of gifting and enjoying mithai, a category of traditional sweets. Celebrated across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, Diwali emphasizes the joy of sharing delectable treats, which become centerpieces of festive gatherings. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of sweets, including varieties such as laddoos, gajar ka halwa, burfi, and gulab jamun, which adorn display cases and beckon patrons to gather boxes to share with loved ones.
The assortment of mithai is diverse, featuring gajar ka halwa—a sweet carrot dish garnished with nuts, alongside gulab jamun—deep-fried dough balls soaked in rose water syrup. Another favorite is kulfi, an Indian-style ice cream offering rich flavors derived from fruits and nuts. Additional popular options include milk-based sweets such as burfi, ras malai, kalakand, and cham cham, along with semolina-based varieties like rava kesari and suji ka halwa.
Philadelphia offers an array of locations to acquire these traditional sweets in time for the festivities. One noteworthy store is International Foods & Spices, located near the University of Pennsylvania. Owner Paramjit Singh emphasizes the significance of mithai during Diwali, noting the variety available, from fresh and frozen to canned options. Customers can explore packaged sweets prominently displayed, while also noting a rise in prices correlating with the increased shipping costs from India.
Further afield, Subzi Mundi in Upper Darby, situated near the Philadelphia Sikh Society, is bustling with activity on Diwali morning, offering an extensive selection of mithai, including various laddoos and gulab jamun. Another option is Veda, a modern bistro in Rittenhouse Square, where patrons can savor delicacies like kulfi infused with cardamom and topped with poached blueberries.
In the Bensalem area, Patel’s Grocery Store showcases an impressive array of one-pound boxes of laddoo and gulab jamun, while Kabobeesh, located on Chestnut Street, is renowned for its freshly made sweets, especially gulab jamun and gajar ka halwa.
With numerous options available, the festive season is an opportunity for communities to come together and indulge in the rich heritage of South Asian sweets, making Diwali not only a celebration of lights but also of culinary delights. Media News Source.
