Pidi Kozhukattai - Method 1

Pidi Kozhukattai (பிடி கொழுக்கட்டை):

Kozhukatta or Kozhukkattai is a popular South Indian sweet dumpling made from rice flour, with a filling of grated coconut and jaggery, and is similar to Modak made in other parts of India. Usually eaten as a form of breakfast or as a snack along with tea. In Tamil Nadu the dish is traditionally associated with the Hindu God Ganesha, and prepared as an offering on the occasion of Vinayaka Chathurthi. In Kerala it is also popularly associated with Oshana Sunday eve celebrations of Saint Thomas Christians

Kozhukkattai form the basis of a number of natal customs among the Sri Lankan Tamil community. There is a custom in the north involving these (dumplings with edges pressed to resemble teeth) being dropped gently on a toddler's head while the family wishes for the infant to develop healthy teeth. In eastern areas, such as Amparai district, piḷḷai kozhukkaṭṭai, a smaller version, are prepared for an expectant mother at about four months time after conception by female family members. These are also commonly exchanged sweets at weddings as auspicious symbols of "plump" health and fertility.

                                       Pidi Kozhukattai recipe

Recipe Cuisine: Indian  |  Recipe Category: Snack
Prep Time:15 mins    |  Cook time: 15 mins     |  Serves: 4

Ingredients

Rice flour - 1/2 cup

Jagerry - 1/4 cup

Water - 1.5 cups

Chopped coconut - 2tsp

Sesame oil - 1/4 tbsp

Salt- 1/4tbsp

Cardamon powder - 1/4tsp




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Method:

• First You need to prepare the Rice flour.
• Steps : 

1.Soak the rice for at least 2 hours and drain the water, spread it in a clean cloth or news paper to absorb the excess water.
2.Grind it to a fine powder in a mixer.
3.Sieve the flour(you can add the remaining coarse rice to the next batch grinding). Dont rub and sieve. Do it gently. 

• Now take jaggery in a pan and add water and allow it to boil well.When the jaggery has boiled well add the cardamon powder and mix it well. Now add the rice flour and mix well without any lumps. Use a whisker to remove if any lumps there.
  
• When the flour gets dried up and shrinks and forms a dough ball remove it from stove and allow it to cool.
  
• Now grease your hands with sesame oil and  mix the dough well and make it into small balls. Now keep the ball in ur palm and press it lightly with your fingers (as u close ur palm with your fingers). The impression of your fingers will fall on the ball. Thats why its called as Pidi Kozhukattai. Now take a idly plate and grease it. Place the kozhukattais on the plate and steam it until it becomes soft and shiny.Maximum 10mins is enough.

• Serve it in a plate!!