Fenia or Pheniyaan is a form of
vermicelli
Vermicelli (, ; , literally "little worms"), is a traditional type of pasta round in section similar to spaghetti. In Anglosphere, English-speaking regions it is usually thinner than spaghetti, while in Italy it is thicker. It is typically made ...
from the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...
, notably
North India
North India is a geographical region, loosely defined as a cultural region comprising the northern part of India (or historically, the Indian subcontinent) wherein Indo-Aryans (speaking Indo-Aryan languages) form the prominent majority populati ...
. Although similar to the vermicelli used in ''
seviyan'' and ''
falooda
A ''falooda'' () is a Mughlai cold dessert made with vermicelli. It has origins in the Persian dish '' faloodeh'', variants of which are found across West, Central, South and Southeast Asia. Traditionally it is made by mixing rose syrup, ver ...
,'' ''pheniyaan'' are much thinner. They have a ritualistic importance for the ''
Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth or Karwa Chauth or Karaka Chaturthi () is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindu women of Nepal, Northern India and Western India in October or November on the Bikram Sambat month of Kartika. Like many Hindu festivals, Karva Chau ...
'' festival (celebrated in parts of
Northern
Northern may refer to the following:
Geography
* North
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating ...
&
Western India
Western India is a loosely defined region of India consisting of western states of India, Republic of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs (India), Ministry of Home Affairs in its Western Zonal Council Administrative divisions of India, Adminis ...
) where, along with
Lapsi and dry fruits, they are part of the ''sargi'' ensemble consumed just before the fast associated with the festival begins.
Etymology
The word Pheni (singular of ''Pheniyaan'') is derived from
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
word ''Phenikā,''
which was an ancient thread like sweet dish made using flour.
See also
*
Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially and use locally av ...
References
Indian desserts
Pakistani desserts
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