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A classic South Indian sweet snack made from puffed rice and a sticky jaggery syrup. These crunchy, light, and airy balls are a festive favorite, especially during Karthigai Deepam, and are simple to make at home.
Prepare the Puffed Rice
Create the Jaggery Syrup
Combine and Shape the Urundai
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A classic South Indian sweet snack made from puffed rice and a sticky jaggery syrup. These crunchy, light, and airy balls are a festive favorite, especially during Karthigai Deepam, and are simple to make at home.
This south_indian recipe takes 25 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 118.88 calories per serving with 0.7g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for snack or dessert.
Cool and Store
Mix in 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts, chopped cashews, or roasted sesame seeds along with the puffed rice for extra crunch and flavor.
Incorporate 1/4 cup of roasted gram dal (pottukadalai) for a traditional touch and a different texture.
Add 2 tablespoons of thinly sliced, toasted dry coconut (copra) to the puffed rice for a nutty, coconut flavor.
Add a pinch of edible camphor (pacha karpooram) along with the cardamom for a traditional temple-style fragrance.
Jaggery is an unrefined sugar that retains more molasses, making it a modest source of iron, which is essential for preventing anemia and maintaining healthy blood cells.
The simple carbohydrates from both jaggery and puffed rice are quickly digested, providing a rapid source of energy, making it a good snack for an instant energy boost.
Puffed rice is very light and easy to digest, making this snack less heavy on the stomach compared to other fried or flour-based sweets.
The 'hard ball' test is the most reliable method. Drop a bit of syrup into cold water. It must form a solid, non-sticky ball instantly. When you drop this ball on a plate, it should make a clear clicking sound. If it's soft or stringy, it needs more cooking.
This usually happens if the jaggery syrup was not cooked to the correct hard ball stage. An undercooked syrup will not be strong enough to bind the puffed rice together once it cools.
Pori Urundai is a traditional sweet and should be consumed in moderation. While puffed rice is low in calories and jaggery contains more minerals like iron than refined sugar, it is still a high-sugar snack. It's a healthier alternative to processed sweets but is best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
One serving of two Pori Urundai (approximately 34 grams) contains around 110-130 calories, primarily from the jaggery (carbohydrates).
While technically possible, using jaggery is essential for the authentic flavor, color, and aroma of Pori Urundai. Jaggery also provides a unique, slightly molasses-like taste that white sugar cannot replicate.
When stored in a completely airtight container at room temperature, Pori Urundai will stay fresh and crispy for up to two weeks.