‘Ellu’, as the sesame seeds are called in Karnataka comes in different colours, tinge and varieties. Sesame seed is called as ‘Til’ in Hindi. It is used across the world in different ways – marking its presence as topping over baked products or as a taste enhancing sauce or as flavouring agents in various curries and salads. Sesame seed is an oilseed crop with the highest oil content. It is good for health, provided it is consumed in a controlled and limited way.
In India, sesame seeds are extensively used in a wide variety of dishes. Sesame seeds reminds me of Ellunde. The nutty flavour of the roasted sesame seeds, when amalgamated with the jaggery syrup, is no less than a heavenly feeling.
Ellunde, as the Sesame balls are called in Karnataka, are usually prepared during festivals, especially Sri Krishna Janmashtami, along with few other unique sweet balls / unde.
This is the simplest laddoo that I can remember, with just 2 ingredients – Sesame seeds and jaggery.
Ellu unde tastes the best when dark jaggery / antu bella is used. Nevertheless, if this type of jaggery is unavailable, you may still proceed using the normal jaggery. Colour and taste of this dish largely depends upon the jaggery used.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami happens to be one of the most important festivals in Coastal Karnataka, Udupi belt.
Every year, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated across India, on 2 different dates. These dates are based on Solar Calendar and Lunar Calendar. Most of the time, these dates differ by a couple of days or weeks. As per the Solar Calendar, Sri Krishna Janmasthami is celebrated on 13th of September, this year.
Wishing all those celebrating Sri Krishna Janmashtami a very happy festival.
Lets celebrate this festival, the VeggiePotNPan style, with ‘Ellunde’
Total time: 30 minutes
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Servings:
Brown sesame laddoo: 12
Black sesame laddoo: 6
Ingredients:
For Brown Ellunde:
Brown sesame seeds: 1 cup
Dark jaggery: ¼ cup
Ghee: For making the laddoos
For black sesame laddoo:
Black sesame seeds: ½ cup
Dark jaggery: 1/8 cup
Ghee: For making the laddoos
Method (Same for both the laddoos ) :
* Heat a deep bottomed pan in low flame. Once it is hot enough fry the sesame seeds till they start to spurt out
* Remove from flame and put it in mixer for about a second
* Transfer it into a wide mouth container
* In a deep bottomed pan add dark jaggery with little water and heat until the jaggery syrup reaches the desired consistency (at this stage, a small drop of the syrup when dropped in water turns into a small ball)
* Quickly pour the jaggery syrup over the sesame seeds and mix well
* Grease your palm with ghee and slowly tighten the seeds and jaggery syrup mixture to a small ball / unde
* Repeat the above step till the entire mixture is converted to small balls / unde
Ellu Unde stories :
This is one festival which I used to look forward to, since my childhood days. Especially for the varieties of sweet balls and savouries that mom used to prepare. I was so fascinated by Lord Krishna, the stories around him and the like that I used to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami more eagerly, than I used to celebrate my own birthday.
In my teenage, I used to assist my mom to make the round sweet balls, decorate the pooja room, draw rangoli with colours and flowers, chant bhajans and what not. Mom used to prepare 8 different types of laddoos on this day along with other sweets and savouries which Lord Krishna cherishes (And of course, us too). As part of our routine, the next day, when we would go to school / college / office, mom used to pack all those laddoos in a box. Back there, my friends and colleagues used to anxiously wait for the box to be opened. Such was the excitement surrounding the festival. To add on to my fascination and love for Lord Krishna and his day, I got the most precious gift of my life – my little daughter, on this day. My daughter was born on Sri Krishna Janmasthami and now that she knows all, she demands to have 2 birthdays every year. One, exclusively on her actual birth date and the other, when Lord Krishna was born.
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