Ganesha Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Ganesha or Ganpati loves coconuts and modakam /Kozhukatta, so its customary to make modakam on this festive occassion.
Every state in India has its own version, many sweet and savory varieties can be prepared as kozhukatta /Modakam. Sweet kozhukkata/Modakam are steamed rice dumplings with coconut and sugar or molasses stuffing. All of us in our house love this sweet treat. I would not be doing justice to other equally yummy savory kozhukkatt. This can be cooked in normal occasions also as a breakfast or snack it is healthy and suits everyone including children. This kozhukatta can be eaten without any side dish, but if you can find time to make chutney then you can eat it with your favourite chutney. Here am posting both sweet and savory kozhukatta. My savory version is not an authentic one I have just tried to recreate the recipe based on my family’s taste bud, so here u go…
Water : 2 cups
Coconut Oil : 1 tsp
Salt to taste
For the Filling /Poornam :
Grated coconut : 3/4 cups
Jaggery /Shakkara : 1/2 cup
Cardamom powder : 1/4 tsp
How to make Kozhukatta/Modakam – Sweet Version :
2. Drain the water completely and spread the rice on a cloth and allow it to dry.
3. Grind the raw rice to a smooth flour.
4. For 1 measure of rice flour take 2 measures of water.
5. Boil the water over a medium flame, in a kadai (a shallow thick bottom vessel). Add salt and coconut oil, bring to boil.
7. When the mixture has formed into a smooth thick dough, remove from the fire.
8. Melt the jaggery in a saucepan over a medium low heat. (Note : Add a tsp of water to the jaggery to facilitate the melting)
9. Once melted, the jaggery will start slowly bubbling and form a ‘pouring’ consistency.
11. Slowly incorporate the jaggery into the coconut, over the stove, and stir continously to ensure it doesn’t burn. add the Flavor the cardamom powder and mix well.
12. Smear your hands with a little oil, smoothen the prepared rice flour dough with your hands and make small balls (the size of a lemon).
13. Press in palm of hand and slowly flatten the edges with thumbs to get a cup-like shape.
14. Fill these cups with the prepared coconut-jaggery filling and seal to make a ball.
15. Place all those filled dough balls in an idli cooker or steamer and steam cook for about 10-2- minutes or until the outer layer looks firm. Serve warm…
- Kozhukkattai made with freshly made rice flour will turn out very soft. If thats not available try using ready made fried rice flour.
Savoury Kozhukatta /Modakam Recipe
Rice Flour : 1 cup
Cashewnut : 5-8 (chopped)
1. Heat oil in a pan; splutter the mustard seeds, add dry red chilli and saute it for couple of minutes.
2. Add rice flour, asafoetida , salt and just enough water to cover the rice and cook for 10 mins.
3. Add coconut pieces or grated coconut, cumin seeds, cashew nuts, curry leaves and mix well; remove aside and keep it to cool.
4. Divide the mixture equally into balls and steam for 10-15 minutes in idli cooker or steamer . Repeat till the mixture is used up.
5. Serve hot with any chutney of your choice.
Notes : They also can be stored in the fridge for a day or two.
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Happy Ganesha Chaturthi!
Sangeetha
Thanks everyone 😀 Really appreciate your time !
@ Reena I am glad u like the recipe….and thanks for letting me know that..:)
Belated wishes dear!!! kozhukatta looks awesome..
elladathum kozhukattede pooramanallo 😉 sweet ente hubby kum savoury enikum anu eshtam.kandittu undakan thonunu 🙂
Both sweet and savory rice dumplings looks terrific!
Love the click of ganesha! Modhakas looks nice and has turned out perfect! Nice post!
Hi,Kothiyavunu
Today i tried your kothu porotta.It was really wonderful.My hus liked it.full thanks a ton
Happy Ganesha Chaturthi…:)..
Thank you everyone for your wishes and kind words.:)
Happy Ganesh chathurti! Both the version of modaks look great! Perfect for the festival 🙂
Vinayakanum kozhukkattayum gambheeramayittundu..love both varieties
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi for you too dear..adipoli kozhukatta..you have done it so well..perfect cute balls.
Happy ganesh chaturti to you and your family…and dumplings looks yum
Happy Ganesh chathurthi v dont celebrate this festival,so i forgot…Yummy kozhukkattas…….my fav too
Happy Ganesh chuturthi to u and your family. Thanks for sharing both the versions of Modaks. Looks yummy
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Happy ganesh chathurthi dear, both modaks looks absolutely gorgeous and yummy..
happy vinayaka chathurthi to u dear……
kozhukattai loooks fabulous and God statue is great…
New Event: Dish Name Starts with B
http://akilaskitchen.blogspot.com
Regards,
Akila.
Vinayakar chathurthi nalvaazhtukal! The modaks are very cute and sweet!
Nandini's Food Page
Kozhukatta is my favorite… both the versions look inviting! Festival adipoli ayirunno?
Happy ganesh chathurthi dear… wonderful kozhukattas …grooling clicks..
Wish you and your family a very Happy Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Delicious and tempting dumplings. Looks fabulous.
Happy Ganesh Chathurthi thr too…
U have made them soo well….
Happy Vinayaka chathurthy to you dear.. Modaks looks yummy…
wow, those look perfect!
Happy Ganesha chathurthi Sangee..Loved both of them. he he same pinch to u too…
happy ganesh chaturthi to you! Awesome modaks…
Happy Vinayaka chathurthy to you and your family dear..
Delightful and delicious modaks!!
US Masala
happy ganesh chaturthi to u n ur family …we r celebrating this on Saturday ..ur modakam looks awesome …very nicely u made them …gr8 job …both sweet n savory modakams r my favorite …thanks for sharing
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com