Gulgula (doughnut) facts for kids
Gulgula is a yummy, traditional sweet treat from India. It's a bit like a small, sweet donut. People often enjoy gulgulas during special celebrations and festivals, especially in villages. You can find them in many markets too.
Where are Gulgulas Popular?
You can find gulgulas in many parts of India. These include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, Haryana, and Rajasthan. They are also made by Indian communities living in other countries. Some of these places are Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Mauritius, the United States, South Africa, and Fiji.
How are Gulgulas Made?
Making gulgulas is quite simple! They are similar to donut holes. The main ingredients are wheat flour and sugar. Sometimes, people use a traditional type of unrefined sugar called jaggery. For extra flavor, spices like fennel seeds are often added.
To make them soft and fluffy, people might add yogurt, mashed banana, yeast, or baking powder. Once the dough is ready, small pieces are dropped into hot oil or ghee. They are fried until they are golden brown, just like donuts. In the Caribbean, gulgulas are often made by mixing overripe bananas with flour and spices before frying.
A Bit of History
Traditionally, gulgulas were made with jaggery. There is an old saying in Hindi about this sweet. It means, "they eat jaggery, but avoid gulgulas." This is a funny way to say someone is being picky.
The gulgula sweet was first written about a very long time ago. It was mentioned in a book called Pasanaha Cariu (Parshvanath Charit). This book was written by Vibudh Shridhar in the year 1132 AD. This was during the time of the Tomara rulers in Delhi. It was just before the short rule of the Chauhan kings began.
