Lucille Iacovelli ~ Cape Cod: Diwali Sweets

While baking Christmas cookies last year, I wanted to send something special to a friend from India. I had been collecting decorative tins for months, picking them up at tag sales and thrift shops especially for packing my sweets. I found a lovely peacock tin from Harrod's. I forget what sort of sweets it held originally, but put this aside to hold the cookies I would make for my Indian friend.

One of my favorite holiday sweets is the 7 Layer Italian Cookie, which takes its name from the colors of the Italian flag. Improvising on the colors, I called my sweets 'Flags of India'. I promised myself I would make these for Diwali in 2008.

Diwali, traditionally known by its Sanskrit name Deepavali, is a major Indian festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being

This five-day festival is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November. There are numerous myths about its origin. Hindus believe Diwali marks the homecoming of King Rama, who returned after defeating the evil Ravana in a battle that lasted for 14 years. Some recognize it as the day the goddess Lakshmi was rescued from an evil king. Yet others believe it to be the day Lord Krishna destroyed a despised demon.
All agree that it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. In marking the Hindu New Year, it signifies Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity. It is a celebration of joy, where gifts are exchanges and festival foods are enjoyed... especially sweets!

I had hoped to bake the Flags of India today for Diwali which falls on October 28 this year. Unfortunately, despite my best effort, I could not muster the physical strength or energy for the task. Hopefully, tomorrow will grace me with advance Diwali blessings and energy sufficient to transform the ingredients within my kitchen into some delectable treats to share with friends.