Sankranti Ellu is commonly prepared in South India. It is offered to the Lord and later exchanged with family members and friends.

Makar Sankranti is one of the important festivals celebrated in India. It is called  by different names in different parts of the country. Pongal and Lohri are the other names. It marks the transition of the sun into the sign of Makara. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana kal, a pious period  for the next six months. It usually occurs on January 14th or 15th every year. It is also  one of the periods which marks longer days and harvesting period for the farmers.

In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra  Ellu (a mixture of white sesame with sugar or jaggery) is offered  to Lord and later in the evening to elder members to seek their blessings. Sankranti  Ellu is usually made at home though it is available in the market also. It is also known as Ellu Bella.

The white sesame seeds is mixed with  ground nuts, desiccated coconut and castor sugar. Ellu Bella theendu, olle olle maatadu, meaning take sweet, talk sweet is the saying that often goes with it.

Back to our childhood days, we cherished taking this mixture the next day, in cute box and exchanging with all classmates as ” Take Sweet, Talk Sweet, Be Sweet”. Some good memories as I write this post.

Here is the Sakkarai Pongal recipe prepared on this day. If you like using quinoa, try making quinoa pongal, as I have made it. It is healthier and tasty too.

 SANKRANTI  ELLU

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup white sesame seeds
• 1 cup ground nut seeds
• 1 cup split dalia
• 11/2 cup dessicated coconut
• 2 cup castor sugar

METHOD:

• Grate the coconut. I remove the black part at first and then grate the white only.
• Dry roast sesame seeds, ground nut, and dessicated coconut lightly. They should not get burnt or dark.
• Remove the skin of groundnuts.
• Put split dalia in the pan for a second and remove it.
• Mix all ingredients together.
• Sankranti Ellu is ready to serve.

Take a tip:

• Use shiny sesame seeds.
• Instead of castor sugar and shredded coconut , small bits of jaggery and coconut pieces may be added.

Evergreendishesdev

Ellu for Makar sankranti

5 from 4 votes

Ellu is exchanged during Makar Sankranti in South India. It signifies better bonding and mark of respect between indivduals.

Print Recipe

Servings: 10

Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup sesame
• 1 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 cup groundnut
• 1 cup split dalia
• 2 cup castor sugar

Method

 

1. Grate the dry coconut. I remove the black part and grate only the white part.
2. Dry roast white sesame, groundnut  and dessicated coconut on low flame.
3. Peel the skin of groundnut and keep it aside.
4. Put split dalia  for a few seconds in the pan and roast.
5. Mix all ingredients together.

Notes

• Bits of jaggery may also be used instead of sugar.
• Use the shiny variety of sesame. It tastes better.

 

HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI TO ONE AND ALL

About the event :

This is an old post which I have redone with better pictures. Sending it to Foodies_Redoing Old Post _143.

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If you make this, take a picture and tag me on Instagram @foodiejayashree with the #evergreendishes

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