what do they eat at Diwali: The Festival of Lights show sources

During Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, people celebrate the victory of light over darkness with various traditional dishes. The specific food items vary across different regions of India, but here are some common Diwali foods:

1. Sweets and Desserts:
- Gulab Jamun: Deep-fried milk dumplings soaked in sugar syrup.
- Jalebi: Deep-fried, pretzel-shaped batter soaked in sugar syrup.
- Ladoo: Sweet balls made using flour, sugar, and ghee.
- Barfi: A type of condensed milk fudge available in various flavors.
- Kheer: A rice pudding made with milk, rice, sugar, and flavored with cardamom or saffron.
- Gujiya: Deep-fried dumplings filled with a sweet mixture of nuts, coconut, and sugar.

2. Savory Snacks:
- Samosa: Deep-fried pastry triangles filled with potatoes, peas, and spices.
- Pakoras: Deep-fried fritters made with vegetables (such as onion, potato, or cauliflower) or lentils.
- Mathri: Crispy and flaky deep-fried crackers made with flour and spices.
- Namakpare: Crunchy, savory, and slightly salty diamond-shaped snacks made with flour and ghee.

3. Special Dishes:
- Pulao and Biryani: Fragrant rice dishes cooked with spices, vegetables, and sometimes meat.
- Malai Kofta: Deep-fried paneer and potato dumplings served in a creamy sauce.
- Paneer Tikka: Marinated and grilled cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese).
- Chole Bhature: Spicy chickpea curry served with deep-fried bread (bhature).

These are just a few examples, and there are numerous other traditional dishes enjoyed during Diwali. The specific food preferences can vary based on personal taste, regional customs, and family traditions.

Sources:
1. "10 Sweets You Must Eat During Diwali" - The Indian Express
2. "Top 7 Snacks and Desserts Popular on Diwali" - Archana's Kitchen
3. "Diwali Special Foods and Recipes" - Veg Recipes of India
4. "Diwali Special: Fact, Fiction & Food" - NDTV Food