Ganesh Chaturthi is right around the corner and with this festival comes a lot of enthusiasm and zeal. Devotees welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes with pomp and fervor and the 11 days are celebrated at best. Now, this discussion would be incomplete without mentioning Lord Ganesha’s favorite modak.
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In recent years, people have started making different types of modaks. Modak evolved into several flavors and textures, but its meaning during Ganesh Chaturthi remained the same. We could normally find steamed and fried modaks. But the most traditional modak is Ukdiche modak, the steamed version. Fried modaks came into being because they bring out a crunchier taste and last longer. Those made with molds are made of khoya and shaped like modak through a mold, readily available in the market. We can add a variety of flavors to modaks to give it a different twist. Chocolate modaks have gained popularity due to their taste, while modaks made with saffron, pistachio, figs, makhanas, peanuts and almonds are also made during the days of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Let us tell you an interesting fact. A sweet similar to modak, i.e. kangidan, is offered to the god Kangiten who is considered the Japanese equivalent of Lord Ganesha in Japan. Kangidans are made of curd, honey, and red bean paste, then fried after being wrapped in a bun-like batter made from dried flour.
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Traditionally eaten with hot ghee, Ukdiche modaks have an inner Pooran filling made of jaggery, freshly grated coconut and some mild spices while the outer casing is made of rice flour. This festive dessert is said to originate from Maharashtra and is known by several names. It is known as modhaka or kadubu in Kannada, kudumu in Telugu and kozhukattai in Tamil.
Apart from having religious significance, modaks also have great health benefits. Ukdiche modaks not only helps in smooth digestion but also increases metabolism. Since jaggery contains antioxidants and several minerals, it helps cleanse the body by flushing out toxins. It also helps raise healthy cholesterol levels and even cures colds and flu.
Although the trend has shifted towards flavored modaks, traditional Ukdiche modaks have always been special and of course important. This Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s do the traditional and old-fashioned modaks and celebrate the festival. Follow these steps and gift the simple yet tastiest modaks to Ganpati Bappa!!
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!
Ingredients
For Pooran
- 1 cup jaggery
- 1 ¼ cup freshly grated coconut
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
For the outer stuffing
- 1 cup rice flour (one specially used for modak)
- 1 ¾ cup water
- 3 teaspoons of ghee
Method
- Take a pan and add jaggery
- Once the jaggery begins to melt, add the shredded coconut
- Mix well and cook for 9 to 10 minutes
- Add cardamom powder and poppy seeds
- Mix well and turn off the heat
- Take a large bowl and add rice flour to it
- Add hot water and mix with a spoon or spatula
- Once cooled, use your hands and mix the dough
- Cover it and keep it aside for 10 minutes
- Now add some ghee and knead the dough again
- Take out small portions of dough and make a little cup-shaped thing
- Fill it in and shape it like a modak (you can still use a mold if you want)
- Take a steamer and place a banana leaf on the ship
- Add the modaks and steam them for 10-12 minutes
- Once done, take them out and your modak is ready
- Garnish with whatever you like and serve with ghee
Enjoy!
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