The Delicious $6 Canned Dessert I Always Keep in My Pantry (Especially for Hurricane Season!)

Experiencing the wrath of a hurricane can be both terrifying and debilitating. The aftermath often leaves behind extensive damage and prolonged power outages, making it essential to have an emergency food supply. Non-perishable foods are crucial for ensuring you have plenty to eat when fresh supplies are cut off. 

While it’s important to have flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies, stocking the right non-perishable food items can make a significant difference in comfort and nutrition. Among these, one surprising item I always keep in my emergency kit is canned gulab jamun. 

Gulab jamun, a popular Indian sweet, is not only a delicious treat but also a practical choice for hurricane preparedness. The word gulab — a rose water scented syrup — is derived from the Persian words “gol” (rose) and “ab” (water), and jamun is a Hindi word for Indian fruits, like black plum. It has evolved into a symbol of warmth and togetherness in Indian culinary traditions. Now, it has become the king of sweets not only in India but also in neighboring countries. 

Canned gulab jamun doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking, and can last for around seven to eight months, making it an excellent choice for emergency storage. Canned gulab jamun is inexpensive and available in most grocery stores where I live in India. 

Brands like Haldiram’s, MTR, Royal, Swad, Amul, and Anand, offer high-quality options, with Haldiram’s being my preferred choice for its consistent freshness and balanced sweetness. You can also find them at many Indian grocery stores in the U.S., or order them online at Weee!, Amazon, Haldiram’s website, and other retailers.

Last year, my hometown experienced severe flooding due to continuous rainfall over several days. Many areas were submerged, and access to necessities was severely limited. Fortunately, I had stocked gulab jamun in my emergency kit beforehand. Amidst the chaos and scarcity, gulab jamun provided sustenance and a moment of comfort and normalcy. 

Its sweet, rich taste of fried dough, combined with a hint of caramel and a comforting floral aroma, helped alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty during those challenging days. Personally, I love its smooth and soft creamy texture, which takes around 24 hours to develop. This texture is achieved by frying the gulab jamun and then letting it soak in sugar syrup. This process makes it an indulgent treat that reminds me of the importance of preparedness. Even in the worst circumstances, a simple treat can bring immense relief and a sense of comfort.

While canned gulab jamun is delightful on its own, here are some creative ways you can serve it — even during hurricane season:

• Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Served chilled or at room temperature, garnish gulab jamun with finely chopped pistachios, almonds, and cashews. The nuts add a nice crunch and enhance the flavour. 
• Turn it into a spread. Mash some of the gulab jamun with their syrup to create a thick sweet spread. Use it on leftover wheat bread for a quick and delicious snack. (Kids especially love this!)
• Warm it up. Heat it slightly on the stovetop in a pan over low heat for about 2-3 minutes, just until warm. Serve warm as a dessert after meals. Its sweet, syrupy goodness makes it a perfect comfort food.
• Use the leftover syrup to sweeten tea. Boil water, add a tea pouch, the syrup, and a pinch of dry ginger and cardamom powder for a unique flavour.
• Or to make shashi tukda. Shallow fry bread (or toast slices) in ghee and then soak them in gulab jamun syrup. This creates a quick version of the traditional shashi tukda. Serve with some chopped nuts.
• Take a page out of my mother’s recipe book. My mother has made this snack since I was a child. She pairs fried puris (fried wheat small tortillas) with gulab jamun and its syrup. The combination of crispy puris with sweet syrup was a favorite of mine growing up.

Buy: Haldiram’s Gulab Jamun, $6.49 for 35.27 ounces at Weee!

What’s the one pantry item you buy for hurricane season? Tell us about it in the comments below.