Makara Sankranthi is a festival, full of joy. It is celebrated in various forms around different parts of India. On this special occasion, various traditional sweets and dishes are prepared. One of the most well-liked dishes in Karnataka during this holiday is the "Ellu Bella Mix" recipe. In different parts of Karnataka, Ellu-Bella, or a mixture of white sesame seeds, chopped dried coconut, roasted groundnuts, roasted chana dal, and jaggery, as well as Sakkare Achchu, or sugar figurines, are given as gifts to friends and family members. When we were young, we used to look forward to the "Ellu Beero" custom with great anticipation, filling Ellu Bella with small packets of sakkare achchu. Isn't it true that holidays often bring back happy childhood memories?
"Ellu Bella Thindu Olle Maathadi," which translates to "Eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only good," is a proverb in the Kannada language. To celebrate the harvest festival and as a sign of love and friendship, this ellu bella mix is given to friends and family members.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup- White sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup- Peanuts
- 1/4 cup- Jaggery
- 1/4 cup- Dry coconut
- 2 tbsp- Sugar coated fennel seeds
- 1/4 cup- Roasted gram
Method:
- Transfer the given amount of sesame seeds to a pan and roast on a medium flame.
- These sesame seeds will start changing their colour slightly after satueing for a few minutes.
- Switch off the flame and transfer to a bowl.
- Now, transfer the peanuts to a pan and roast on a medium flame for a few minutes.
- As black spots start appearing on the peanuts, switch off the flame and transfer the peanuts to a plate.
- Now rub the peanuts gently to remove their skin after letting it cool for a few minutes.
- Discard the skin of peanuts and keep aside.
- Cut the jaggery into small pieces. You can keep these pieces under sun for an hour.
- Grate the dry coconut’s skin and discard it.
- Now cut the coconut into slices and then into very small pieces. The dry coconut pieces are ready.
- Transfer all the ingredients to a bowl and mix them nicely with the help of a spoon.
- The Ellu Bella Recipe is ready to serve.
Every year during the Sankranti festival, many Karnataka households follow this simple ritual known as the "Karnataka Style Ellu Bella Recipe" (Sankranti Mix Recipe). Every household is expected to give their neighbours some of this mixture and other homemade treats as a manner of offering. Since bella-jaggery is used abundantly at this time of year and sesame seeds were traditionally dissolved in bathwater, it is only a custom that has been observed for years. These two ingredients are the focal points of this celebration.