This article is the last in a series called “Festival of Flavors.” For six weeks, kids around the world shared the family recipes that most evoke their heritage. Visit this issue’s table of contents to read the other installments!

Puran poli is a very special dish for the Marathi people of India.

It is usually prepared as a dessert and sometimes relished as a main course during festivals. It is offered to God as a naivedyam, a religious food offering. Puran poli is delicious; it is the best dish my mom makes. And since it satisfies my sweet tooth, it is my favorite food.

Puran poli is a sweet Indian bread also known as roti. It is prepared not only by us but by most families of our community during the festival of Dussehra. Dussehra is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil, as on this day Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana. To mark this auspicious occasion, celebrations every year include the preparation of this centuries old traditional recipe. We also prepare it during Diwali, the festival of lights.

During Dussehra our entire family gets together and enjoys a special meal of hot puran poli. We have a very big family home in Akola where my grandparents live. When we visit, I carry my cricket bat and ball as well as football. I play games with my brothers and sisters and we have fun the whole day. When the clock strikes 7:00 pm, we run at athletic speeds with our firecrackers. We set off lots of firecrackers until 8:30 or 9:00 pm. Then, after having some food, we play cards. On such occasions, I miss my uncle who lives in Washington, D.C.

Last November during Diwali, I wanted to learn how to make puran poli, and asked my mom for her help. She refused, saying that I was too small to learn and would not be able to handle the stove flame. After I asked her many times, she finally said, “I will allow you to make it but not to bake it.”

I just overflowed with joy.

But when I asked her why I couldn’t bake the roti, she said, “The pan is too hot. You might burn your fingers and then you will not be able to write for KidSpirit for a few weeks.”

After hearing this reason, I happily agreed to refrain from using the stove. I took the rolling pin and started shaping the puran poli. Lo and behold, I discovered a new shape! The “squanglecle”, as I named it, is a square, rectangle, and circle combined. After baking the roti, my brothers, sisters, and I, enjoyed the newly shaped treat.

I recommend that all those who read this article taste puran poli at least once in their lives. I won’t reveal its secret taste, but will give you a clue: it tastes even better than apple pie. You will fall in love with puran poli, I know it. Enjoy this traditional dish at your earliest opportunity!