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A classic Assamese sweet treat featuring a soft, chewy rice flour shell filled with a sweet mixture of grated coconut and jaggery. These half-moon shaped delights are a staple during the Bihu festival.
Prepare the Coconut Filling
Prepare the Rice Flour Dough
Shape the Pithas
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A classic Assamese sweet treat featuring a soft, chewy rice flour shell filled with a sweet mixture of grated coconut and jaggery. These half-moon shaped delights are a staple during the Bihu festival.
This indian recipe takes 45 minutes to prepare and yields 6 servings. At 411.93 calories per serving with 4.53g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for snack or dessert.
Shallow Fry the Pithas
Serve
For a lower-fat option, steam the pithas instead of frying. Arrange them on a greased steamer plate, ensuring they don't touch, and steam for 10-12 minutes until the outer shell is cooked and translucent.
Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cashews, almonds, or a tablespoon of poppy seeds (khus khus) to the coconut filling for added texture and richness.
Substitute regular jaggery with date palm jaggery (khejur gur) for a deeper, more aromatic, and smoky flavor, which is especially popular during the winter months.
The combination of rice flour and jaggery provides a significant amount of carbohydrates, offering a quick and effective source of energy.
Jaggery is an unrefined sugar that retains essential minerals like iron, which is vital for blood health, and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
Fresh coconut is a good source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of healthy fat that is easily digested and converted into energy by the body.
One serving of Narikolor Pitha, which is approximately 3 pieces, contains around 350-400 calories. The calories come mainly from the rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and the oil absorbed during frying.
Narikolor Pitha is a traditional festive delicacy and is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is a source of carbohydrates and fats. The use of jaggery is a better alternative to refined sugar. For a healthier version, consider steaming the pithas instead of frying.
Yes, you can prepare the components in advance. The coconut filling can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The fried pithas are best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispiness but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Pithas can burst if they are overfilled or if the edges are not sealed properly. Use a moderate amount of filling and press the edges very firmly. You can also lightly moisten the edges with water before sealing to create a stronger bond.
Freshly grated coconut is highly recommended for the authentic taste and moist texture. If you only have desiccated coconut, you can rehydrate it by soaking it in 3-4 tablespoons of warm milk or water for about 20 minutes before using it in the filling.
The dough should be soft, smooth, and pliable, similar to a chapati dough but slightly softer. It should not be sticky or too dry and crumbly. Adjust with a little hot water or rice flour as needed to achieve the right consistency.