Modaks / Kozhukattai / Sweet dumplings are famous Indian sweet dishes that are made during Ganesh chaturthi celebrations. Different varieties of modak are prepared in various cultures. Modaks are made either by steaming or by frying. Commonly the outer covering of the kozhukattai/ Modak are made with rice flour and are steam cooked. Sometimes, the outer covering is also made with wheat flour and the modals are deep fried.
Modaks are made with different kinds of inner filling from coconut, dry fruits, lentil mixture. I have used Pineapples in this recipe for the inner filling. Pine apple is a very favorite tropical fruit. The taste and flavor of Pine apple is so strong that it spreads to the entire room. The Pine apple is cooked with jaggery and spiced with nutmeg powder to form a soft inner filling which is stuffed on a outer rice flour covering. Every bite of this modak is delicious with a sweet and tangy taste with coconut bites giving a unique twist to this modak. Try this modak/kozhukattais and serve it to Lord Ganesha and your family.
For other Modak / Kozhukattai variety, click in the below link:
Ingredients
- For Outer Covering
- For Poornam/ Inner filling
Instructions
- Boil one and a quarter cups of water with a teaspoon of gingerly oil and a pinch of salt. Add one cup of rice flour and cook them. Switch off the stove and keep covered.
- Add one cup of pineapple chunks to a mixer jar and grind to a puree.
- Add the pureed pineapple to the pan and cook until the water evaporates.
- Add three and a half teaspoons of jaggery powder and mix together.
- Cook till they thicken and add a pinch of nutmeg powder to it.
- Top off with roasted coconut and set it aside.
- Pinch out small balls from outer covering and shape the modak molds. Fill with pineapple filling and seal off.
- Arrange the modaks on a greased plate. Steam for 4 - 5 mins and serve.
Notes
- Pineapple must be cooked until the water evaporates completely.
- Instead of jaggery powder, you can also add sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar or any other form of sweetener.
- I did not add any nuts in this filling. If you'd like, you can also add roasted cashew nuts.
- I have not used any food color in this recipe. If you want to , you can also add yellow color to this filling or kesar dissolved in warm water too.