Confectionery from Andhra

JEEDI (జీడి)

I happened to visit some places in coastal areas. In one of the villages, we were standing in front of a temple. We completed our tour of the shrine and were waiting for others from to catch up with us. Just then an old man approached us carrying some packets. He was selling a confectionery known in Andhra as Jeedi (singular) or Jeellu(plural). At once I was reminded of my child hood days.

In those days, we did not have so many varieties of chocolates, biscuits or other confectionery goods. When ever a child cried, it was given some home made snacks or goodies. Mostly it was a small lump of jaggery. Which child does not like sweets? There were so many varieties made at home. Buying from out side was frowned upon. It was an insult to the lady or ladies of the house.


One of the popular confectionery was Panchadara Chilakalu. Read about them here:
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/search/label/Panchadara%20Chilakalu

The other is Jeedi. This is what it looks like:

                            JEEDI
The Jeedi I am talking about is made from Jaggery syrup. Jaggery is made into a very thick syrup. Jaggery is mixed with water till it dissolves and cooked on low fire until a thick syrup is got. It is made into balls or cubes or what ever shape one likes. When hardens, it can be eaten. It is very sticky or rather chewy and sticks to the teeth when eaten. I don't know how to describe it. Perhaps, it is like chewy toffee or chewy candy. These are simple Jeedi.


There is a saying or rather a simile in Telugu which means as sticky as the syrup made for Jeedi. When a person is troubling some one and does not leave easily despite best of efforts, this simile is used to say he is as sticky as the syrup made for jeedi and is not leaving.


These are rolled in roasted sesame to make Nuvvu Jeedi. I don't have them right now. I will try to post a picture of them if I get hold of some. 


Both these varieties  could be made at home or could be bought from the corner shops. These were also quite popular with children and were sold very cheap- one per 5 paise or so depending on the size of the candy. 


In North India these sesame confectionery is made with sugar and rose essence is added. It is not chewy like the one I described above. It is very delicate and tasty one.


But the jeedi made of jaggery are now almost extinct. These days children go for pizzas, burgers, chips and other snacks. Locally made candies or confectioneries have disappeared. 
I was so surprised, but bought a pack doubting how they would taste. When we came back to where we were staying, we all had a go at them. they tasted just like I had as a child. I searched the market for more but found none. So I took back the few that were left so that my  niece could also know about it.

 

Pickles from Andhra (ఆంధ్ర ఊరగాయలు)-7

Pickles and Chutneys with Gooseberries-I


My previous posts on Pickles are here:
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/search/label/Pickles


Please read the introduction part before attempting this if you are making pickles for the first time. Its here:
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/pickles-from-andhra-i.html

Gooseberries are a favourite in Indian Kitchens  These berries come into market after the festival Diwali-that is in the month of Karthika and are available till the end of December or even first of January. These days most of the fruits are available through out the year. But during the season when they are naturally available, they are cheap, tasty and healthy too. 

For us South Indians, Gooseberries known as Usirikaya (Telugu) and Amla (Hindi) is a sacred fruit perhaps as much sacred as the holy Tulasi(basil) leaves. These berries are very good for health being rich in Vitamin C. It delays ageing process and keeps us young. It is good for our health in general and especially eye sight and hair. External application to hair makes it black, lustrous and healthy. It is extensively used in many medicinal preparations in Ayurveda system of medicine.

Here is a glimpse of the fruit:

This is how it looks on the tree. The trees are very tall with many branches. The leaves are very small. The fruit grow close to the branches in bunches.

Before making the pickles or chutneys or jams, wash the berries in water and wipe them dry with cloth thoroughly. Spread them on a clean dry cloth and dry them under fan for an hour or two till you are sure that there is no moisture left.


Use gingelly or sesame  oil for pickles.

1. Goose Berry Pickle(ఉసిరి ఆవకాయ / आमला आचार)

Ingredients:
Goose Berries    500gms
Red Chilly Powder  100gms
Mustard Powder     100gms
Salt   100gms
turmeric Powder      1tsp
Fenugreek seeds    1tbsp
Oil     250gms


Method

• Pierce the berries with a fork  few times or put little slits with a knife  here and there
• Now in a deep pan heat oil on low heat. Add the berries to oil, mix well so that the oil is coated all over the berries. Fry for five to ten minutes till the berries are somewhat fried. Stir in between so that the berries are fried on all sides.
• Remove from fire and coll completely
• Now add salt, chilly powder, mustard powder, turmeric, fenugreek seeds to the berries and mix thoroughly
• Store in a glass bottle or a ceramic container and close the lid tightly
• Keep for two or three days and then use it
• This tastes very good with hot boiled rice.

NOTE: 

• Some people heat one or two table spoons of oil separately, add 1/2 tsp of Asafoetida powder and immediately remove it from fire. Cool it add to the berries and mix thoroughly.
• In some regions, tamarind is soaked in hot water or boiled along with . Say lemon sized or more in enough water. Then it is cooled and the tamarind is squeezed thoroughly to extract a thick paste. This is then cooled completely and added to the berries mixture. In this case one has to add more salt and chilly powder  to balance the sour taste. But adding of tamarind pulp, not only lessens the slight bitter taste of the berries, but enhances the taste and also adds more stuff to the pickle. 

Try this out and let me know please....More to be posted in my next posts

My New Year Resolutions

Friends so far I have been very busy with hectic schedules, lots of travelling and dead lines to meet. But Thank God that's all over and I am free now. I am very tired and trying to rest. I need to catch up with my sleep...spent so less time sleeping....

Oh of late I have not been posting much on two of my blogs though I have lots to share with you. But one of my New Year resolutions is to keep in touch with you all through my blogs as much as I can. So I will be posting regularly. Many yummy recipes, tips, tricks, beauty and health tips and much more to come.......

Keep an eye on my blogs...