Sesame and jaggery based sweets from different parts of India

It’s that time of the year, when preparations to celebrate the winter festivals like Pongal, Bihu, Makar Sankranti, Lohri are in full swing. Interestingly, sweets and desserts prepared for these winter festivals are usually made with sesame and jaggery. Here are some common sweets prepared in different parts of the country to celebrate these winter festivals.

Sesame-based sweets are popular in various parts of India, especially during the winter season. These sweets are not only delicious but also considered to provide warmth to the body. Here are some sesame-based sweets enjoyed in different regions of India during winters:

Til Ladoo also known as Tilgul is a popular sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is often offered as a prasad and later distributed among friends and family as a symbol of goodwill and unity.

Gajak is a sweet treat made by roasting sesame seeds, jaggery and peanuts together, which is then pressed into thin brittle sheets to give a strip like texture to the Gajak. This sweet delight is popular in North India, especially in Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana to name a few.

Til Pitha is a traditional Assamese sweet prepared during the festival of Bihu. It consists of rice flour dumplings filled with a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, and grated coconut, and is often deep-fried or steamed.

Til Ariselu, also known as Kajjikayalu, is a traditional sweet prepared during festivals. It is made by stuffing a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, and grated coconut in a rice flour dough, which is then deep-fried until crispy.

Ellu Bella is a traditional dish mixture of sesame seeds, groundnuts, dry coconut, jaggery cubes, and fried gram. It is typically prepared during the Sankranti festival and shared among friends and family.

Ellurundai is a South Indian sweet made with sesame seeds, jaggery, and grated coconut. The mixture is shaped into small balls, creating a flavorful and energy-boosting treat.