Coconut Jaggery Balls

Coconut Jaggery Balls

The coconut jaggery balls….this is a favorite sweet for many and reminds me my childhood. My Mom used to make these small roundels frequently. We in India have many festivals and for all the festivals it is a ritual to break the coconut and offer it to God. The very next day my Mom used to grate the coconuts, mixed it with sugar or jaggery and cooked on a slow flame till all the juices from the coconut combines with jaggery. The sweet smelling mixture would tempt me and my sister and we would try to eat it right away from the hot wok, end up burning our little fingers. When jaggery is used my Mom made the balls, when sugar is used she made the barfi. This flavorful chewy sweet is very simple to make, tastes very yummy, makes you crave for more and more.       
INGREDIENTS

• Freshly Grated coconut          2 cups
• Grated jaggery                       1 cup
• Sugar                                      1/2 cup
• Elaichi powder                       1/2 tsp
• Ghee                                      2 Tsp

PROCEDURE
In a large thick bottomed pan add the grated coconut, Grated jaggery, sugar. Cook on a slow flame till all the coconut incorporates well in the jaggery syrup. I used one part of sugar as it enhances the taste. Mixing intermittently cook the mixture for about 20 minutes. By now the mixture will slightly turn to golden brown and will leave the edges of the pan. Now add the cardamom powder and the ghee. Remove the mixture into a plate. Let the mixture cool for a while. Apply some ghee to your hands and form round balls out of the mixture. See that you don’t burn your hand. Wait for some more time if it is too hot.                     
TIPS

• Use only sugar instead of jaggery. With this process you can grease the plate pour the cooked mixture and cut into the desired shape.
• Use fried nuts for a different enhanced taste.

Coconut Jaggery Balls