KOLKUTTER / PIDI KOZHUKATTAI

 

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This Recipe Makes ± 24 Treats

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Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai (also known as Koikutter, Kolikutter, Kolkatta, Vella Kozhukattai, Fingers), is a sweet, rice flour treat which is molded & steamed. It originated in South India.

These treats are usually prepared for prayers in the Hindu custom, namely, Vinayger Chaturthi (Ganesh Chaturthi), Sangatahara Chaturthi, Varalakshmi Vratam (Luxmi Prayers), Mariamman Prayers (Porridge Prayers) & Dead Peoples Prayers.

My mum & late grandmother always prepared these Kolkutters / Pidi Kozhukattais during the prayer time, so I grew up always enjoying these delicious handcrafted goodies. These Kolkutters / Pidi Kozhukattais are very easy to prepare, & even yummy to devour.

 

Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai Ingredients:

• ½ cup desiccated coconut
• ⅓ cup almonds
• 1 ½ cups rice flour
• 1 teaspoon elachi (cardamom) powder
• ¼ cup milk
• 80 grams butter
• ⅓ cup castor sugar
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder
• Pinch of salt
• ⅛ cup milk powder (optional)
• ⅛ cup sesame seeds (thill)
• 193 grams condensed milk (½ tin)
• Water as needed for steaming (± 1 cup)

Method:

1. Ground or finely chop almonds.
2. 
3. 
4. Add rice flour to a bowl.
5. 
6. Thereafter, add in the elachi (cardamom) powder, nutmeg powder & salt.
7. 
8. Add in the milk powder. This step is optional, my mum adds it in when she prepares it, as it adds more flavour. I now have the tendency to add it in as well.
9. 
10. Next, add in the castor sugar. White granulated sugar may be used as an alternative.
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12. Add in the desiccated coconut.
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14. Next, add in the sesame seeds (thill).
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16. Add in the ground or finely chopped almonds.
17. 
18. Mix.
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20. Pour in the condensed milk.
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22. Melt the butter for a few seconds in the microwave.
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24. Add the melted butter to the mixture.
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26. Finally, pour in the milk.
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28. Mix well.
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30. Mixture should not be too mushy or else the mold won’t hold. If it is too mushy then add in more rice flour.
31. Take a small piece of the dough, around a golf ball size.
32. 
33. Roll it a bit in your hands.
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35. Make a fist motion, with the dough being under fingers.
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37. Open hands & the Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai mold is formed.
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39. Set aside on a plate & continue the same process until all the mixture is used.
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41. 
42. 
43. Pour water into a pot – not too much. Preferably a pot with outer edges.
44. 
45. Bring water to a boil. Alternatively, a steamer may be used for this process.
46. 
47. Turn off the heat & place a dish towel over the pot. Secure it tightly with pegs on the ends.
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49. Carefully place the Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai on top of the dish towel & allow it to steam for 10 minutes. Make sure that the Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai does not touch the water – this is why the dish towel needs to be secured tightly.
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51. After steaming, carefully remove the Kolkutter / Pidi Kozhukattai from the dish towel & place onto a plate.
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53. Allow to rest for 10 minutes so that they can firm up. Reshape & mold if necessary.
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55. These Kolkutter’s / Pidi Kozhukattai’s are now ready for devouring or offering for a prayer.
56. 
57. Do not refrigerate.
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59. Stays fresh for up to a week.
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61. These Kolkutter’s / Pidi Kozhukattai’s can also be prepared in conjunction with Roht, another Indian sweet meat & can be used as an offering during a prayer.
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