Jhunka facts for kids
Jhunka (also spelled Zunka) is a tasty and traditional Indian dish. It's like a thick porridge or a curry made from gram flour, which is flour from chickpeas. People in Maharashtra, Goa, and North Karnataka especially love to eat it. You might also hear it called pithla or pithle. Sometimes, when it's served with a flatbread called bhakri, it's known as jhunka bhakar or pithla bhakri. In some parts of Maharashtra, like Vidarbha, it's even called chun!
What Makes Jhunka Popular?
Jhunka with bhakri is a very common and important meal for farmers in Maharashtra. It's often served with a spicy side dish called kharda or thecha. In recent times, pithla bhakri has become a favorite snack for people who go on hikes to mountain forts, like Sinhagad.
This dish is also considered very healthy. It has a good balance of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and potassium. This makes it a nutritious choice for a meal.
How to Prepare Jhunka
Making Jhunka is quite simple!
- First, gram flour (which is called besan) is mixed with water. This creates a semi-solid paste.
- Next, this paste is cooked in oil.
- Other ingredients are added to give it flavor. These can include green chilies, red chili powder, turmeric, and salt.
- Sometimes, fried onions, mustard seeds, ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, and fresh coriander leaves are also mixed in.
Jhunka is traditionally served with a flatbread called Bhakri. It can also be enjoyed with roti or even rice.
