A batura, suggested my dining buddy, is halfway between poori and naan.
Also spelled bhatura, batoora, et cetera, this North Indian bread has airy, crisp bubbles that evoke the puffier poori and the chewier texture of the flatter naan. In the combo shown below ($5), a pair of baturas dwarfed their accompaniments, which was just as well — fresh from the deep-fryer, they were the best part of the platter.
For more photos from several Jackson Heights celebrations of Diwali (also Deepavali), the Hindu "festival of lights" (as in "inner light"), see the slideshow.
Jackson Heights Diwali Mela
74th St. between Roosevelt and 37th Aves., Jackson Heights, Queens
(The 2013 mela was held on October 13)
Jalebi looks similar to South African koeksisters (deep-fried dough dunked into syrup), but koeksisters look more like long braided crullers.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 14, 2009 at 02:56 PM
A reader sends this comment by email:
Try the milk cake at AlNaimat. Not too sweet and you can taste it before buying. On weekends they have goat paya in the buffet — good on a cold day. They also let you take food from the buffet — you can fill the containers yourself after tasting it first.
Haat Bazar on 73 St. has real good katchi biryani made with goat. Also Ruchita on 73rd St has daily changing menu.
Jelebi is close to something the Egyptians make as I saw once in Paris; the syrup needs to [be] soured with lemon juice.
Posted by: Dave Cook | October 15, 2009 at 10:24 PM