Steamed Rice Jaggery Dumplings / Pidi Kozhukattai

Kozhukkattai or steamed rice dumplings is a traditional dish of South India. It is made with rice for outer covering filled with sweetened coconut or lentils. The process of making is somewhat similar to ravioli. Finds its presence during Ganesh chaturthi and is an important neivedyam to Lord Ganesh. Pidi kozhukattai is a simpler version without the stuffing and is quick and easy to make. I made this for a evening snack the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ingredients:
Rice flour - 1/2 cup
Idli rava (Coarsely ground rice) - 3/4 cup
Jaggery - crushed - 3/4 cup - I used palm jaggery
Water - 1 cup
Salt - a pinch
Ghee - 2 tbsp (optional)

Method:
Dry roast the rice flour and idli rava separately until it turns light brown. Transfer to a wide plate to cool. Dissolve the jaggery in water and filter for impurities. Heat the jaggery water until just hot and mix the rice flour and rava and mix together to a coarse dough consistency. Add ghee now if using. Take lemon sized balls of the dough and hold together between palm and fingers to make pidi kozhukattai. Steam in a idli cooker until firm. Serve hot.

I am sending this to Celebrate Sweets - Sweets with Rice event by Nivedita and Priya and CBB-Evening Tiffin event by Radhika.