Bakarwadi facts for kids
Serving of bakarwadi
|
|
| Alternative names | Bhākarwadi, Bhākharwadi |
|---|---|
| Course | Snack |
| Place of origin | India |
| Region or state | Gujarat and Maharashtra |
| Main ingredients | Gram flour, coconut, poppy seeds |
Bakarwadi (called Bhakarwadi in Gujarati) is a super tasty and crunchy snack from India. It's a traditional treat that's popular in the western states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This snack is shaped like a disc, deep-fried until it's super crispy, and has a mix of sweet and spicy flavors. It was already a popular snack even before Gujarat and Maharashtra became separate states in 1960. Back then, they were both part of Bombay State, and people from both cultures shared their recipes and added their own special touches.
History of Bakarwadi
It's believed that the name "Bhakarwadi" comes from "Bhakri", which is a type of Indian bread. When you roll out a dough with a spicy filling (called "Vadi"), cut it, and then fry it, you get Bhakar-Vadi!
Two famous companies helped make this snack popular all over India and even internationally: Chitale Bandhu from Pune and Jagdish-Farsan from Vadodara. Raghunathrao Chitale, a businessman from Maharashtra, was key in making it well-known.
In the 1970s, Narsinha Chitale tried a version of Bakarwadi made by his neighbor. This version was called 'Pudachi Vadi' and came from Nagpur. It was a very spicy roll. The usual Gujarati Bakarwadi, on the other hand, often has lots of garlic and onions. Narasinha Chitale decided to combine the spiciness of the Nagpuri 'Pudachi Vadi' with the disc shape of the Gujarati Bakarwadi. He also deep-fried it to make it extra crispy!
Narasinha's elder sister-in-law, Vijaya, and his wife, Mangala, perfected this special recipe. The iconic Chitale-Bakarwadi was first sold in 1976. Soon after, it became incredibly popular! Jagdish-Farsan (also known as Jagdish Bhakharwadi) was already famous in Gujarat since 1938. Other big brands, like Haldiram, also started making this delicious snack.
How Bakarwadi is Made
Bakarwadi is made from a dough of gram flour (which is flour made from chickpeas). This dough is rolled out into spirals. Inside these spirals, a yummy mixture is stuffed. This mixture usually includes coconut, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds. After being stuffed and shaped, the spirals are deep-fried until they turn golden brown and become super crispy.
One great thing about Bakarwadi is that it can be stored for several weeks. This makes it a perfect snack to enjoy anytime, especially in the evening!
Bakarwadi in Pop Culture
Bakarwadi is so popular that it even inspired a TV show! A comedy series called Bhakarwadi aired on Sony SAB from 2019 to 2020. The show was about two families living next door to each other in Pune. One family was Marathi and the other was Gujarati. The show explored their funny differences, often related to their attitudes towards this famous snack.
