Pinni is a winter-special Punjabi dessert that is popularly made in Indian households. The rich and warm dessert usually marks the onset of chilly wind in India. In the northern parts of the country, grandmothers often pass the traditional recipes for pinni, which also help relieve the symptoms of the common cold and cough.
While the traditional pinni is made with whole wheat flour (atta), there are many more variations that you can try this winter season. From incorporating the winter root vegetable carrot to making the most of chopped dry fruits, you take your pick and try lesser-known recipes of pinni. So, get your ingredients together and whip up the winter dessert.
Gajar Pinni
Incorporating the natural sweetness of the winter vegetable, carrots, gajar pinni adds a healthier twist to the atta pinni. To make pinni at home, you can start by grating carrots and saute them in ghee. Once well-roasted, add atta or besan as per your preference. Slowly add in powdered sugar and chopped dry fruits. Mix well, roll into balls, and enjoy.
Dry Fruit Pinni
If you want to make a healthy dessert using your favourite dry fruits and nuts, pinni is just perfect for you. All you need to do to make dry fruit pinni is chop your favourite nuts like almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, dates, walnuts, etc., and chop them. If you want a finer mixture, you can grate the nuts. Then, roast the mixture in ghee and sugar. Roll the mixture into small balls, and your winter treat will be ready.
Dal Pinni
Dal pinni is a protein-rich variety that you can have without any guilt. It is usually made with moong dal or urad dal. You can start by soaking your preferred lentils and then grinding them to make a smooth paste. After slow-roasting it in ghee, add flour, honey or gur (jaggery) till you get a consistent mixture. Add in dry fruits, and your guilt-free sweet will be ready.
Alsi Pinni
Alsi, also known as flaxseed, is a nutritious version of the traditional wheat-based pinni. Given the many benefits of flaxseed, it is a must-have in the winter season to prevent allergies and sore throat. The first step to make alsi pinni is dry roasting flaxseed till they are fragrant. Then, you can grind them into a powder and roast them with besan and ghee. Add in jaggery and make balls for the earthy dessert.
Coconut Pinni
To add a touch of tropical fruit to the Punjabi dessert, you can make coconut pinni. Just take grated coconut and roast it in ghee till the coconut turns golden brown. Mix in whole wheat flour, sugar, cardamom, and roast till you get a fine consistency. Let the mixture cool and take small portions, shape them, and serve.