Sankranti, also known as Makar Sankranti, is one of the most flamboyant and widely recognized festivals in Andhra Pradesh. It is a harvest festival that marks the sun’s entry into the Capricorn zodiac sign (Makara Rashi) and heralds the arrival of longer days. It is celebrated with high spirits and regular rituals amid colourful decorations and most importantly, delicious festive food. Food is at the centre stage of the celebrations, with items in every household generously representing the regional culinary tradition. Let us dive into the special Sankranti food items prepared in Andhra Pradesh and distinguish what makes them special. 

Sankranti Special Food Items in Andhra Pradesh

During Sankranti, the kitchen of every house in the state of Andhra is lively with different dishes getting ready. They are a mix of festive spirit the wisdom of seasonal ingredients and traditional ways of cooking. Some of Sankranti’s traditional food items are:

1. Ariselu

Ariselu is a Sankranti sweet made out of rice flour and jaggery, deep-fried. The outside is crispy, while the inside remains soft and chewy, bringing joy to people of all ages. It is made on a larger scale as they last longer and can be shared with close friends and relatives, as a symbol of love and prosperity. 

2. Sakkara Pongal

Sakkara Pongal, or sweet pongal, is a quintessential brother. Based on rice, moong dal, jaggery, and ghee, this preparation is especially festive as it is garnished with cashews and raisins. The many flavours produced by cardamom and ghee make it a desirable dessert.

3. Garelu (Medu Vada)

These crispy lentil fritters have become an integral part of any Sankrant celebration. Made with urad dal batter and deep-fried, garelu can be served with chutneys or sambar. They are made versatile to be eaten as breakfast, snacks, or as an element of the grand meal. 

4. Pulihora

Pulihora, or tamarind rice, is a tangy and flavorful dish that perfectly balances sour, spicy, and salty flavors. It is a must-have in the festive spread and is often prepared as an offering to the deities before being shared with the family.

5. Pongali

Besides the sweet Pongal, savoury Pongali gains acclaim in its own right. Prepared with rice and lentils and tempered with spices, this dish assumes a very special taste with the addition of ghee. Treats for many, it is usually served with coconut chutney or pickle. 

6. Pappu Garelu

These are a variation of mendu vada and are made from toor dal and are somewhat thicker in texture. They are of a unique consistency and are usually served with coconut chutney or spicy powders like parapodia.

7. Sunnundalu

These protein-rich laddus are made from roasted urad dal and mixed with ghee and jaggery. Not only are they delicious, but they are also nutritious and often made in bulk during Sankranti. They are made in heaps and then stored away for eating at leisure. 

8. Boorelu

Boorelu are deep-fried dumplings filled with a sweet lentil mixture. These are prepared as an offering to deities and are later enjoyed as part of the festive meal. The filling typically consists of chana dal, jaggery, and coconut, providing a delightful sweetness.

9. Chakkara Pongal

Chakkara pongal is another variation of sweet pongal. This dish differs in taste because it uses sugar instead of jaggery. It is often preferred by those who enjoy milder sweetness.

10. Perugu Garelu

This interesting dish requires soaking garelu in seasoned yoghurt to make a cooling and sourish delicacy. It is a perfect balance of flavours and textures, which makes it a favourite during the festive season.

Sankranti Special Food Items in Andhra Pradesh with Price

People make most of their Sankranti food at home but they also obtain sweets and snacks by purchasing them from neighborhood stores and online marketplace. Popular Sankranti food items in Andhra Pradesh are available at these estimated prices. 

Food Item	Approximate Price (INR)
Ariselu	300 – 400 per kg
Sakkara Pongal	200 – 300 per serving
Garelu	150 – 250 per dozen
Pulihora	100 – 150 per serving
Sunnundalu	400 – 500 per kg
Boorelu	300 – 400 per kg
Chakkara Pongal	200 – 300 per serving
Perugu Garelu	150 – 250 per serving

The combination of sweets is available in festive hampers which local sweet shops and online stores sell as pre-packaged offerings for people who want ready-to-go options. Furthermore, the hampers contain different specialties that reflect different regional traditions so various consumers can find something they enjoy.

Related: New Year Buffet in Hyderabad

Unique Recipes for a Memorable Sankranti Festival

Here are a couple of unique recipes that you can try at home to make your Sankranti celebrations even more special:

Recipe 1: Ariselu

Ingredients:

•  1 kg rice
•  500 g jaggery
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Oil for deep-frying

Method:

1. Soak the rice for six hours, drain, and make the fine powder.
2. Melt jaggery in water and filter the dissolved jaggery to remove impurities.
3. The consistency of the boiled jaggery syrup should be soft-ball.
4. Combine the syrup or molasses together with rice flour to make a dough.
5. Roll small portions of the dough into flat discs.
6. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Cool and store in an airtight container. 

Recipe 2: Sakkara Pongal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 1/4 cup moong dal
• 1 cup jaggery
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 10 cashews
• 10 raisins
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

1. First, wash the rice along with the moong dal. Then, add water and pressure cook until soft.
2. Similarly, melt the jaggery in water, strain it, and add it to the rice-dal mixture.
3. Lastly, stir and cook until thickened.
4.  Add ghee, grind cashews with cardamom, and sprinkle the mixture into the pot. 
5. Blend it well and remove it when warmed.

Recipe 3: Pulihora

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice 
• 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• Curry Leaves
• 2 tablespoons of oil

Method:

1. Put oil in a pan and place on flame. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
2. Add the green chillies, curry leaves, and turmeric powder to the pan.
3. After that, add the tamarind paste and cook stirring constantly for about five minutes.
4. Then add the rice and blend well.
5. Pulihora is served with peanuts or fried whole cashews on top and is garnished while still hot.

Conclusion for Sankranti Special Food Items in Andhra

For the people of Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is more than just a celebration; it is the quintessential symbol of culture, tradition and unity. The specialities prepared during this festival are not just meant for consumption but also bring people together as the entire family gets involved in the preparation and sharing of food. During the festival, Sankranti sweets like arise and sunnundalu are cherished and angrily fought over while adults pulverize children with savoury snacks like garelu and pulihora.

Whether they are busily preparing for guests at home or restocking at the local sweet shop, everyone goes out of their way to ensure these signature dishes are had during the holiday.

FAQs

Q1. Why do Andhra people celebrate Sankranti?

Ans:- The Sankranti marks harvest time, wherein the people pray to the god of the sun and nature for harvesting well.

Q2. What is the relevance of food items during Sankranti?

Ans:- Food has an integral part in any festival related to harvesting, along with spreading fun with family members and friends, by cooking foodstuffs. These traditional recipes are made out of fresh produce, available seasonally.

Q3. Can these Sankranti dishes be prepared without animal products?

Ans:- Yes, most recipes can be made vegan by substituting ghee with vegan butter or oil and eliminating dairy ingredients.

Q4. In Andhra Pradesh, from where can I get Assam sweets?

Ans:- Sankranti sweets may be purchased from local sweet shops or online retailers selling gift packs for seasons.

Q5. For how many days can these preparations made for Sankranti be eaten without turning bad? 

Ans:- Most of the preparations like doughnuts, ariselu and sunnundalu can remain fresh for up to a week in an air-tight jar.

Q6. Are they healthy?

Ans:- Many preparations use jaggery, dal and rice are good, though the calories are very high; it has to be taken with restrictions.

Q7. Which is the actual way of celebrating Sankranti?

Ans:- It is by attending traditional rituals, making festive foods, and spending quality time with loved ones.