Sri Lankan sweets are still popular on any special occasion and celebration. That is where all traditional Sri Lankan sweets such as Kawum, kokis , Aluwa add their best taste to the event making the event ceremonial. Among all Sri Lankan celebrations, we cannot forget April New Year. In this post, I want to compile some of the Sri Lankan sweets that are must-haves on any New Year table. (Sri Lankan Kavili Recipes)
What is April New Year or Sinhala & Hindu New Year
If you are a Sri Lankan, what I ask is a stupid question. I don’t have to ask what is April New Year or Sinhala & Hindu New Year from any Sri Lankan. They know it better than I who stay in another country, but still admire the value of Sri Lankan traditions.
But, for the sake of other readers of Food Corner from around the world, I want to share about our Sri Lankan New Year.
In Sri Lanka, both Sinhala and Tamil communities celebrate New Year which follows traditions. It is the start of another year. Usually, New Year falls on dates ranging from April 12-14th. Each year, there will be auspicious times declared to start celebrations. These auspicious times include time for cooking, eating and even for leaving for work.
You can read more details about Sri Lankan April New Year in this post about Sri Lankan food culture.
Now, we are waiting for the 2017 New Year! Celebrations will begin. For a day, the Majority of Sri Lankans will stop cooking at the same time. They will again start cooking again after few hours for the given auspicious time. This is the moment most of the Sri Lankans get united. It is the time for a family reunion.
Do you like to read more about Sinhala New Year games? These traditional games make the celebrations memorable during the April New Year season.
Check this post about Coconut Scraping competition in which ladies come into a contest!
Check this post about New Year traditional games of Sri Lanka which I shared in my travel blog.
And…yes, it is the time for traditional sweets and other treats to come to the dining table.
If you are getting ready to celebrate the New Year, here are recipes for Sri Lankan traditional sweets and other food which are must have on any Awurudu table. (New Year table)
Sri Lankan Traditional Food for April New Year
Kiribath (Milk Rice)
A table without Kiribath is like a wedding without a bride. Yes, Kiribath is the must have for any New Year table in Sri Lanka. Check Kiribath recipe.
Lunumiris (Katta Sambal)
Well, you may avoid this. But without this Sri Lankan chilli paste, you will not enjoy Kiribath. It is spicy and hot. It will make you reddish. But, you need to have freaking hot Katta Sambal for your Awurudu Table in Sri Lanka.
Check katta sambola recipe
Achcharu (Sri Lankan Pickle)
Achcharu! mmm mouth watering just by hearing the name. It is another pickle that is popular during the New Year season in Sri Lanka.
Recipes for Sri Lankan pickle and Polos Achcharu
Malay Achcharu (Sri Lankan Malay Pickle)
Although Malay Achcharu or Malay Pickle is not common on every April New Year table, it is again one of the main dishes to taste on any ceremonial occasion. Therefore, I thought of adding Malay pickle too to our Sri Lankan New Year traditional food items list.
Find out the Malay pickle recipe here
Sri Lankan Traditional Sweets
There are many traditional sweets that take place the attention of the April New Year dining table. Here are some of the sweets that you can find in Sri Lanka. Although I am unable to share a new recipe this time, I hope these recipes will help you to fill your New Year table.
Konda Kavum (oil cakes)
Konda Kawum or oil cakes are the best sweets to celebrate any occasion in Sri Lanka. Check Kavum recipe.
Kokis
Without kokis and without the cracking noise, you will not entertain your time during the April New Year! Check Sri Lankan Kokis Recipe.
Mung Guli
Mung Guli is another Sri Lankan traditional sweet that is really easy to cook. Check Mung Guli recipe.
Aluwa
A few years ago, I cooked Aluwa. This is easy to cook. I hope my Aluwa recipe will help you to add another sweet to your Sinhala & Hindu New Year table. I received emails from a few readers who tried this recipe. So, now it is your turn to try! Here is the recipe for Aluwa
Mung Kavum
Mung kavum is a bit similar to the Mung Guli. The shape is different but the taste will be mostly the same. Check this Mung Kavum recipe. It is easy to cook!
Kalu Dodol
Dodol is another Sri Lankan traditional sweet that you can find during the New year season or in any ceremonial festival or occasion.Read more about Sri Lankan Kalu dodol.
Asmi (Aasmi)
Asmi or Aasmi is another delicious sweet from Sri Lanka which is popular in any celebration. It is crunchy and it is sweet. Aasmi can make you craving for sweets. New Year is the special period that you can find Aasmi and a plate of Asmi can easily make your New Year table beautiful and complete!
Kokis with Sesame Seeds
This is another delicious way to cook Kokis. Add some toasted sesame seeds for your Kokis batter. Crunch feeling of Sesame seeds will add more taste to your Kokis for this New Year! 🙂
Check the recipe: Kokis with Sesame Seeds
Milk Toffee (Kiri Toffee)
Milk toffee is another sweet that is popular among Sri Lankans. I am not sure whether I can categorize this as a traditional Sri Lankan sweet or not. But, it is really easy to cook. If you look for easy Sri Lankan recipes for April New Year, try this Milk Toffee recipe.
Naran Kavum
Naran Kavum is another delicious sweet which is also popular as a New Year treat. To cook Naran Kavum,Caramalized coconut mixture is used. Once the balls are dipped in a batter and deep-fried, Naran kawum is ready to serve.
Weli thalapa
Weli Thalapa is another traditional sweet that anyone love to eat. It is easy to cook however you need to follow the exact recipe to cook wali thalapa without being too hard or too soft.
Other Sri Lankan Sweets
Sri Lankan food is influenced by other food cultures from time to time. Therefore we have different sweets and deserts to call Sri Lankan. Starting from cakes to sweets such as Marshmallows, there are other sweet treats that some Sri Lankans like to include on their Awurudu table. Therefore, below are some sweets that are not traditionally Sri Lankan, but you can still make those in the coming New Year.
Marshmallows
These are not only sweet but also colourful. Anyone who has a sweet tooth will definitely like to taste a bite of a marshmallow anytime. If you like making marshmallows for New year, I have shared the recipe. Check Marshmallow recipe.
Well, it is a bit long post. I added most of the traditional sweets and treats from Sri Lanka which you can cook for April New Year. I am planning to update this post from time to time. So, don’t forget to bookmark the page for the latest updates.
I hope this collection of recipes will help you to prepare for the Sinhala & Hindu New Year! Please try the recipes. And as always I am waiting to read your comments and emails regarding the recipes. Please let me know if you try these.
Wish you all Sri Lankans a Happy & Prosperous Sinhala & Hindu New Year!
Pin it for later!
38 comments
I’ve never tried Sri Lankan food before, but this looks so good. I love trying things from new cultures, and learning a little. I didn’t even know there was an April New Year!
wow,all the foods looking so delicious.thanks for sharing…
Glad you like it! 🙂
These all look delicious. I’m all for trying new foods.
I love learning about cuisine from other cultures and try my best to provide diverse city and my children’s meals so that they have a wide range pallet
These look like delicious foods. I have never tried Sri Lankan food before – I’d love to try it though!
Now I’m starving and I want a big plate of everything in your pictures! haha 🙂 I love seeing how other cultures celebrate holidays and seeing and trying the cuisine!
The food looks wonderful. I always enjoy reading and learning about other cultures. I think it is important to learn what we can to be more open and compassionate towards others.
The milk toffee looks delicious. I love seeing all the different food other countries have to offer.
This looks so delicious.Now all I want is one of these dishes!!
Happy New Year! This is a brilliant post, I love Sri Lankan food and always have some homemade Katta sambal at home!
oh!That seems you like some spicy and hot food choices?Thanks for the New year wishes!
Wow this looks so delicious – what an interesting post! I love finding out more about other cultures!
Thanks.Glad this post is helpful on spreading the word about Sri Lankan food culture!
What a yummy article I loved it I particularly enjoyed the section on coconut scraping
You take some amazing photos of food! I couldn’t stop staring at them, my tummy is rumbling!
All of these look delicious! I hope you have a fantastic new year!
all those look like awesome treats. i haven’t heard of them but would love to try.
I’ve never had any of these before. I love trying out different kinds of food from other countries. I think it’s awesome to learn about the different desserts that you guys have.
Hope you will enjoy Sri Lankan sweets one day!Thanks for the visit 🙂
These sound good. I’ve never tasted anything that’s Sri Lankan before and I sure would love to give it a try! New year sounds like a lot of fun in Sri Lanka.
yes,New Year season is full of celebrations and there are lot of traditional events to participate! 🙂
These treats all look delicious. I haven’t heard of most of these but they do look delcious.
All the food looks delicious. Thanks for sharing how you celebrate the New Year.
Glad this post is helpful to share some of the traditions from Sri Lanka…
Wow looks very tasty. I look forward to trying a few of these,
I’m always interested in seeing what food is like in other countries. The sweets in Sri Lanka all look delish. 🙂 Hope you gave a bit more descriptio on each. I think most of them are bread or made of rice?
Most are made of rice flour.I’ve shared the link for each recipe post which includes details of the sweet too… 🙂
That’s some cheeky post. Isn’t Acharulu the same thing as Achaar in India? And iIthought the Mung recipe is the one we prepare from the Moong cereal. If thePalk Straits weren’t between Sri Lanka and India, many of our traditions would be the same.
yes,most recipes are similar with Indian recipes.Even our Athirasa is similar with Indian Athirasam (I guess name is correct).Yes,Achar and Achcharu is similar. 🙂
A valuable post. I also love Sri Lankan Food
You have a nice site.Thanks for the quick comment.
i like srilanka. my mom and dad are from srilanka.
Thanks for your comment.I hope you like these Sri Lankan foods 🙂
Such a great post. Sri Lankan foods are spicy yet tastes like heaven in mouth. Eatable.space
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Hi,
A couple of things. Firstly, I only got your Sinhalese/Tamil New Year issue today, July!
Next, Your pictures are great! I host a website promoting Sri Lankan cuisine (www.currymad.net) and am wondering if I can have your permission to use your pics of the food items you include in this eMail please.
Thanks in anticipation.
Tony
Hi,
Thanks for the comment. Not sure why the email (Sinhalese/Tamil New Year issue) was late. It was scheduled for April 5th. I will check that not to affect future emails. Thanks for letting me know.
Sorry for the late reply as I was away from the blog for few months.Anyway, thanks for the appreciation. Your site is informative too.
Yes, you can use pictures without removing the watermark and without cropping the picture. Appreciate it if you mention that the photos are from foodcnr.com.So that there are no copyright violations.
Let me know once you published it. So, I can read and enjoy your recipes too. 🙂
Thanks,
Amila