Winter in the Telugu states is never harsh. It’s gentle. Soft. A little fog on the fields in the morning, a light chill in the air by evening, and a warm kitchen that becomes the heart of the home.
Every winter, life slows down just a bit — families sit closer, shawls come out, and food becomes warmer, spicier, more comforting.

For me, winter isn’t just a season.
It is a collection of smells, sounds, and memories…
especially the memories of ragi.

Some foods taste good. Some foods make you full.
But a few foods… they make you feel loved.
For me, ragi will always be that food.

The Winter Weekends When Pedda Amma Came Home

When I was a kid, winters became extra special because of my pedda amma.
Every Saturday and Sunday, she used to come home, walking in with her cotton saree, steel tiffin box, and the warmest smile. She had this magical way of turning an ordinary weekend into a mini festival.

As soon as she entered, she would say,

“Sahithi, chali perigindi kada? Ragi tho emi cheyyalo chustha.”
(The cold is increasing, right? Let’s see what we can make with ragi.)

She believed ragi was winter’s best friend —
and now, as a mother, I know she was absolutely right.

The Aroma of Raagi Murukulu Filling the House

The moment pedda amma came home, she took charge of the kitchen like she owned it.
My mother would happily give her the space because the kind of love pedda amma poured into food… we could taste it in every bite.

Her first winter ritual: Raagi Murukulu.

Just like the ones we now prepare at Yaamisri Pickles:
👉 https://yaamisripickles.com/product/crispy-ragi-murukulu-healthy-south-indian-snack/

My job was simple — sit on the kitchen counter and watch.

She would:

roast the ragi flour lightly
mix chilli powder, jeera, sesame, salt
add just enough ghee
sprinkle warm water slowly
knead the dough until it became soft and warm

I still remember how the dough smelled — earthy, warm, like winter had a fragrance.

Next came the murukku press.
She would place the dough inside and gently push it out into spiral coils.

The moment the first murukku fell into hot oil, the entire house would hear a soft shhhhhh…
That sound means winter has officially begun.

Me, my siblings, and sometimes even neighbours’ kids would wait around the stove pretending to help but secretly waiting to steal the first crunchy murukku.

Even today, when I taste our Yaamisri Ragi Murukulu, this memory returns like a warm hug.

Raagi Laddu & Pinni — Winter’s Sweet Tradition

My mother had her own winter tradition — Raagi Laddu and Pinni.

Every year, the first week of December, she would say:
“Time for winter strength food.”

She would roast ragi flour till it turned aromatic, mix jaggery and ghee, and roll laddus with both hands.
Those laddus felt like edible love.

That same homely taste inspired our Yaamisri Ragi Laddus:
👉 https://yaamisripickles.com/product/nutritious-ragi-laddu-healthy-sweet-delight/

And guess what?
My kids today wait for them the same way I waited in my childhood.

They say children repeat what they grow up with — I think it’s true.

The Winter Feast: Raagi Mudda, Naatu Kodi Pulusu & Memories Forever

Some Saturdays, my pedda amma would prepare her special combination:

Raagi Mudda + Naatu Kodi Pulusu

The ragi mudda was soft and steaming, shaped perfectly in her wet palms.
The naatu kodi gravy was spicy, bold, and full of flavour — a real Telangana-style curry.

Today, every time I make or pack our
Naatu Kodi Chicken Pickle
👉 https://yaamisripickles.com/product/naatu-kodi-chicken-pickle-pure-telugu-spice/
I remember those late afternoon lunches.

We would all sit on the floor, plates in front of us, steam rising from the curry, and pedda amma telling stories — some old, some new, some repeated hundreds of times but still special.

Food tasted different back then.
Not because recipes were different —
but because life was slower… and love was stronger.

Why Ragi Is the Queen of Winter Foods

Our elders always said,
“Chali lo ragi ante arogyaalu.”
(In winter, ragi means health.)

And now, science agrees.

Here’s why ragi is winter’s superfood:

Naturally warming:
It generates internal heat, perfect for cold weather.
Slow energy release:
Keeps the body warm for hours.
Boosts immunity:
Rich in antioxidants and minerals that support winter health.
High in calcium:
Strengthens bones — especially important in the cold.
Good for digestion:
Light on the stomach yet filling.
Keeps kids energetic:
No sudden sugar rush or crash.
Good for women:
Helps with strength, bone density, and iron levels.

No wonder our mothers and grandmothers insisted on ragi foods in winter — they knew exactly what our bodies needed.

How These Childhood Memories Became Yaamisri Products

People often ask me,
“Sahithi garu, why do you create so many ragi-based snacks?”

The answer is simple —
I grew up eating them, loving them, and feeling safe with them.

So today, I make all the ragi snacks I wish other children would grow up with too.

I make these not as a businesswoman…
but as a mother, a daughter, and the little girl who once sat on the counter waiting for a hot murukku from pedda amma’s hands.

The Circle of Food, Family & Love

My winter now is different — I run a home, a kitchen, and a business.
But deep inside, I’m still the same little girl who finds happiness in simple things:

the smell of roasted ragi
the warmth of hot oil in the kitchen
the laughter of children
the closeness winter brings
and food made with heart, not hurry

Winter, for me, is a reminder of home.
Of my mother’s soft hands, pedda amma’s stories, and the taste of traditions that shaped my life.

And through Yaamisri Pickles, I hope to share that same warmth with you.

Because winter may be cold,
but the right food makes it the warmest season of all.

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Sahithi Vidyarthi

Winter, Warm Kitchens & The Taste of Ragi — A Story from My Childhood to My Yaamisri Kitchen