Snack on while it rains

Come monsoon, and one is caught in a delightful season of drizzles and rains. Of course, it gets muddy, sloppy and sometimes even gets on your nerves, but who could possibly ignore the perks the season brings—**misty evenings that propel ideas for hot crunchy snacks!** There have always been some hot favorites that have maintained their status as foods relished most when it pours. So turn on your stoves and ovens, whip up some goodies, open out your widows and sit by the sill to gawk at the rain lashing against the wind outside. **Pazham Pori (Banana Fritters)** Rain and _pazham pori_ is just a deadly combo; hot and sweet banana fried in savoury flour that makes for a wafer-like crunchy covering sprinkled with the first drizzles of an impending cloudburst is just romantic! **Samosa** Samosas are dependable. Those little triangles make your evenings straight. Delightfully crunchy outside and mushy and flavourful inside with the potatoes working their gooey charm, the samosas are what you look to grab when you spot those dark contemplating clouds! **Onion Pakora** Now who can resist the crispy onions that peep out of that slightly thick crepe? Onions are the life of this pakoda/pakora, and not a single rain leaves you by without reminding you of the glorious sunlight-tinted onion pakoras. **Bread Pakora** Amidst the plethora of pakoras, the bread pakora stands out because it's easily made and easily one of the tastiest. Bread slices with a saucy masala filling deep fried to be relished with spunky mint chutney—goes well with friends and conversations. Want more proof than the written word? Watch how Bittoo and Shruti strike up a conversation and even swear on their bread pakora in _Band Baaja Baaraat_! **Cheese Nuggets** Welcome the cafes in your upmarket area that offer crunchy little cheese nuggets and a view of the rain through their glossy windows. These little bite-size pieces stock up cheese inside them that ooze out when taken a bite. **Tea to team up with** How do any of the crunchy-munchies get by without a steaming cup of tea? And pick yours from the assorted ginger, cardamom and other spiced varieties! **Jalebi** And some of us with a sweet tooth find it exhilarating to bite into the crispy ringlet of a sugary and syrupy jalebi when there's a downpour. **Kulfi** Cool showers call for cooler refreshments, at least it rings true for some; there's joy unparallelled in relishing a cold kulfi while it's raining cats and dogs outside. And if you can't find them kulfies, ice-creams work too!