As the winter approaches, the air carries the scent of festivity. A unique culinary tradition, the art of making winter pitha, comes alive during the cold months in both urban and rural households of Bangladesh. These delectable rice cakes are known for their sweet and savoury flavours. Pitha is an integral part of Bengali culture. Let's explore five delectable savoury winter pitha recipes that will warm your heart and tastebuds. 5 Delicious Savoury Winter Pitha Recipes to Try in Bangladeshi Kitchens Chitoi Pitha Ingredients 1 cup rice flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 cup warm water, and 2 teaspoon green chilli. Read more: Healthy Alternatives to Cakes and Cookies: 7 Delicious and Nutritious Swaps Instructions First, take rice flour, a pinch of salt, finely chopped green chilli, and warm water, creating a smooth batter. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes.  Then, heat a non-stick pan, lightly grease it with oil, and spread the batter around. Cover with a lid, allowing it to steam and cook until soft. Remove with a spatula, place on a plate, and serve with different vortas like mustard, coriander, and dried chilli.  Spicy Chitoi pitha also tastes wonderful with different curries like vegetable curry, beef curry, mutton curry, chicken curry etc.  Read more: 10 Best Teas for Weight Loss

Vaapa pitha or Bhapa pitha is a type of steamed rice cake and its main ingredients are rice flour, coconut, and ghur/sugar. It originated in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent including Bangladesh, East India, and Northeast India. Bhapa pitha is one of the most traditional winter dishes in Bangladesh. Check here the 4 best vaapa pitha recipes to try in your kitchen.  Food value of the Vaapa Pitha From 1 Vaapa Pitha you will get nearly 15.20 g of carbohydrates which are the main source of energy and nutrients in your body. Besides, carbohydrates help to support your central nervous system, and the functions of the kidney, brain, and heart muscles. Most importantly, it assists you to avoids constipation and help control blood cholesterol level. Moreover, you get 12 g dietary Fiber, 0.2 g sugars, 0.5 g fat, 5.7 g saturated fat, 0.75 g sodium, and 115 mg potassium. Plus, you get vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Read More: 5 Yummy Winter Pitha Recipes for Diabetics Delicious Vaapa Pitha Recipes to try at Home Vaapa Pitha With Coconut Filling Recipe Ingredients 2 cups of rice flour, 1/2 coconut (grated), 1 cup of date jaggery, 1 pinch of salt Directions  First, mix rice powder and sieve well, and add salt. Meanwhile, boil water in a pot and put a steamer on top of that pot. Then, take a small cup and put some rice flowers and a layer of 1 tbsp of grated jaggery, 1 tbsp of grated coconut and then put another layer of rice flour. Do the process two times. Now take a soft cotton cloth, wrath the cup with the cloth. When the water is boiling, put the cup full of rice flour on the steamer. Make sure you remove the cup. Cook for 1-2 minutes and remove the pitha when it is done. Follow the same process to prepare the rest of the pithas. Serve hot.  Read More: Delicious Winter Pithas in Bangladesh: Where Savory, and Innovation Meets Tradition

With the onset of winter, the roadside pitha shops in Lalmonirhat not only give people something warm and delicious to nibble on but also provide seasonal labourers a much-needed livelihood.