Come winters and the shops
are full of goodies like revri, gajak and chikki. They are relished very much
in winters. People huddle around the bonfires and enjoy them. The main
ingredient of these goodies is the sesame seeds known as til in Hindi. Besides titillating the taste buds, sesame has great
health benefits.
Sesame seeds are tiny, flat, and oval with a distinct sweet
nutty flavour. The seeds are white, black and brown. Sesame seeds are an
excellent source of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorous,
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), healthy protein and fiber. Half a cup of sesame seeds
with hull contains three times more calcium than half a cup of whole milk.
Sesame is widely consumed in the hills during winters. It is
incorporated in the diet in a number of ways. A lot of sweet preparations are
made during Maker Sankranti using sesame. One of the most popular way of having
it regularly is by making sesame balls (laddu) using jaggery. My Grandmother had
arthritis and she used to make them regularly during winters. Sesame seeds are a
very good source of copper. Copper provides relief in pain and inflammation
associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Easy to prepare and easy to store, these laddus are very nutritious
and tasty. Perfect to satiate sweet cravings after food and for healthy
snacking.
Ingredients
2 cups white sesame seeds
1 cup crumbled jaggery
½ cup water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Method
Roast sesame seeds on low flame stirring constantly.
As soon as the seeds begin to change colour and a sweet
aroma emanates, turn off the heat.
Take crumbled jaggery in a thick bottomed wok. Add water and
let it cook on medium heat.
When it becomes thick and syrupy, reduce the heat and cook
till the syrup attains two string consistency.
Add roasted sesame seeds. Mix well. Let the mixture cool.
When the mixture cools but is still warm, apply oil in your
palms and take a spoonful of the mixture. Tightly press the mixture and make small
balls.
When cold, store in an air tight container.
My Notes:
Whatever quantity of sesame seeds you take, the quantity of jaggery will always
be half the quantity of sesame seeds.
I am very grateful to read your blog. nice n useful information. Organic Products are better to use as they are eco-friendly and safe. They do not cause any side-effect. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSathish from Organic Jaggery Online
One of the traditional variety dish in India.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for explaining how to do that dish to us
Sharmila from FuturO Organic