It is already time for Diwali, the festival of lights! People in Goa start preparing for this festival soon after Dusshera. The highlight of Diwali is the “faral” or different snacks that are served to guests. Chiwda (called chiwdo in Konkani) is a sweet and savory snack made with fried flat rice. Besides being popular during Diwali, chiwdo is also served to the guests during Chaturthi and during Goan weddings. It is one of my husband’s favorite snacks. He gets a batch from my mom, his mom and his mami every time he or I visit Goa. This is my mom’s recipe. Do make some this Diwali!

What you will need:

How to make it:

• Roast cumin seeds and shankar chap hing (asafetida). Powder both. If you cannot find shankar chaap hing, which is a raw form of asafetida, you can use powdered asafetida as well.
• In a bowl take powdered sugar, cumin powder, turmeric powder, asafetida powder and salt. Mix well and set aside. This is the spice mix that you will use to make the chiwdo. You will sprinkle this spice mix on the remaining ingredients as they are fried.
• Heat oil for frying. Keep all the ingredients close by as the frying process goes by quickly.
• Once the oil is hot, add the flat rice and fry them till they puff up. After removing the flat rice from the oil, immediately sprinkle it with the spice mix so that it attaches to the flat rice.
• Similarly, fry the curry leaves, coconut slices, roasted chana dal, peanuts, cashew nuts and sliced green chilies one at a time. Sprinkle with the spice mix immediately after frying each ingredient.
• Mix all the fried ingredients and fried flat rice together. Add any remaining spice mix and stir it all well.
• Let the chiwdo cool completely. Once cooled, store immediately in an air tight container. This chiwdo if stored properly lasts about 30-40 days. Enjoy with your family and friends during Diwali.