Commonly known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is an Indian celebration to mark the coming of spring. People in different regions celebrate the holiday in their own special ways, and if you live in Denver, Colorado, you can mark the occasion with a variety of delicious foods from Little India of Denver. With a wide variety of appetizers, entreés, desserts, and beverages to choose from, we have something to cater to every pallet so your entire family can celebrate Holi with delicious foods.
What Holi Is?
The Holi celebration is held every year on the day after the first full moon in March. The celebration begins with a large bonfire on the night of the full moon to represent the triumph of good over evil. On the day of Holi, people celebrate by filling the air with colorful powders and fluids. Traditional Holi celebrations will leave you messy and covered in many different hues, but they are meant to be fun and free-spirited as you welcome the coming of spring.
How To Celebrate Holi?
Holi is characterized by throwing dyed powders or water balloons at your loved ones. Afterward, families gather together to enjoy rich Indian delicacies. People from different regions use various food items to mark the occasion, so there is no menu that is required for a traditional Holi celebration. Little India of Denver has a wide variety of flavorful, colorful dishes that can help you celebrate without having to make Holi recipes yourself.
What To Drink for Holi?
Traditional Holi foods and beverages are brightly colored to match the reason for the festival. If you want a Holi staple in the comfort of your own home, you can make an indulgent Thandai with rose petals, cardamom, fennel, nuts, and poppy seeds in a base of rich, creamy milk. You can also celebrate by choosing a colorful juice from Little India of Denver or indulging in one of our sweet or savory lassis. All of these beverages are colorful and filled with incredible flavors, making them ideal for Holi celebrations.
What To Eat for Holi?
Food from the Holi festival is traditionally deep-fried street food. You can take the time to cook puran-poli or dahi-vada yourself, or you can visit our restaurant to get colorful food that is equally delicious and requires less work. Our menu has food options to fit every preference. Consider trying some of the dishes listed below to celebrate Holi.
- Saffron rice: This colorful yellow rice is a Holi staple that is full of flavor.
- Punjabi samosa: This deep-fried pastry is stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes and peas.
- Pakora Masala: Potatoes, spinach, and onion are spiced and covered with a delicious, colorful masala sauce.
- Tomato soup: This rich, creamy soup is a bright, beautiful color and is infused with a variety of delicate spices, making it wonderful for when the weather is still a little chilly during Holi.
- Combination curry: Our signature curry, spiced with garlic, tomato, onion, ginger, and curry spices is filled with flavorful bits of shrimp, chicken, and lamb.
- Lamb Masala: Made with tender bites of grilled lamb, this dish is perfect for Holi with its thick, colorful Masala sauce.
- Chicken korma: Made with creamy yogurt and delicate whipped cream, this dish combines sweet and savory flavors by featuring tender bites of chicken flavored with nuts, spices, and onions.
- Fish vindaloo: Ideal for spice lovers, this fiery dish features a rich, spicy sauce and tender pieces of spiced fish and potatoes.
- Combination biryani: This flavorful dish features a base of delicious Basmati rice infused with a variety of spices and topped with tender bites of chick, fish, and colorful vegetables.
- Chicken jalfrezi: Made with a colorful array of mixed vegetables, this signature dish from our restaurant features tender bites of marinated chicken.
- Beef pasanda: Our meatballs are handmade with a specialty blend of spices and marinated in yogurt. We then smother them in a rich, flavorful sauce before baking them in a clay oven.
- Paneer Butter Masala: Creamy cheese cubes are spiced with a variety of herbs and covered with our delicious masala sauce.
- Alu mutter: Potatoes are a Holi staple and this dish features them with colorful green peas and a variety of spices.
- Gobi masala: A variety of colorful vegetables are blended with a rich, tomato-based curry.
- Puri: This die of buttery, deep-fried wheat bread is a wonderful companion to any of our dishes.
- Lamb pasanda: This dish takes flavorful bites of tender lamb and marinades them in spices and yogurt before baking them in a clay oven. We then smother the lamb in a rich, tomato-based curry sauce that has a fiery kick for spice lovers.
What Desserts To Eat for Holi
While savory dishes may take center stage for the main meal at Holi, desserts are the true heart of the celebration. Little India of Denver has several delectable desserts to choose from. Sample traditional kheer, a creamy rice pudding that features pistachios and almonds. Our Gulab Jamun is also a great choice for Holi with its milk dough balls smothered in sugar syrup. If you’re interested in delicious side courses that taste like dessert, try our colorful mango chutney or raita, which features creamy whipped yogurt infused with bits of carrot and cucumber.
Make Holi Special with Treats from Little India of Denver
Little India of Denver offers a wide variety of delicious dishes to help you celebrate Holi. Whether you prefer sweet or savory foods to mark the holiday with, our vast menu has something you are sure to love. We have three locations for you to choose from in Downtown Denver:
- One on East 6th Avenue
- One on South Downing Street
- Our NEW location on W 32nd Avenue
So, wherever you live, you can find great Indian dishes at affordable prices. Dine-in at one of our locations to enjoy tasty dishes in a traditional Indian atmosphere or order your dinner to-go and celebrate Holi at home with your family.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make the Holi celebration memorable for you. Whether you are new to Indian food or have loved it for many years, we can help you find the perfect dish to celebrate Holi.