Thenkuzhal murukku, Kambu laddu, and kara mixture from Chinthalavadi. These simple treats and a few lines about the village on the banks of the river Cauvery can turn an ordinary festive gift into a mindful one.
This year, we are seeing more people gifting handmade savouries featuring organic ingredients from farms across the State. Chef and TV host, Rakesh Raghunathan, whose karupatti (palm jaggery) Diwali sweets have been in demand for several years, says he is too busy with his recently-launched TV show, Dakshin Diaries, to take orders this time. But he has a few tips for the resourceful.
Jaggery and sugar cane - by-products of sugar cane called gur / gud or jaggery. Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in Asia, Africa. Selective focus
“There’s Srivilliputhur palkova from the town’s famous Venkateshwara Sweet Stall, Tirunelveli halwa from the city’s Janakiram Hotel, kara sev from Sattur’s Shanmuganadar Mittai Kadai, and Triplicane’s Dum ka Roat at Basha Halwawala,” he shares.
Think local
Every festive season, Ahalya S, founder of sari brand, Kanakavalli, has Tapestry, the event planning service at her Kingsley address, put together a hamper of traditional sweets sourced from the actual towns where they originated.
This Tamil New Year, has handmade kara mixture from Chinthalavadi, and Inippu Seedai (sweet seedai) made with jaggery from Karukathy, near Vellakoil in Tamil Nadu. “In cities, things tend to get curated for a modern palate, which is why I look at promoting handmade, authentic delicacies,” says Ahalya, who sends these boxes out to clients. In the past, she's had Kallakurichi chinna vengayam murukku, Nellai Nei Karupatti Mysore Pak and thaen mittai from Erode for her Diwali hampers. Details: Tapestry Expressions is at Kingsley, Spurtank Road. 07550022300
Go nuts
Palm jaggery, peanuts, sesame, cardamon and dry ginger from farms across Tamil Nadu go into the delectable peanut candy and sesame, multigrain balls at Madurai-based MotherWay.
Set up by B Stalin in 2015, the brand processes its ingredients in clay ovens and all the sweets are handmade. This season, opt for the Celebration Sweet Pack (₹700) comprising 50 palm jaggery and groundnut sweet bars, or the Combo Gift Pack (₹400) that includes the bars and sesame balls.
Details:motherway.in
Chopped chocolate with cocoa
Chocolate accent
Meanwhile, in sweet shops across the city, chocolate has been making an unusual pairing with traditional goodies like Mysore pak.Restaurants like Grand Sweets, Sangeetha, Gangotree, Sandwich Square and MAD Lassi are part of the Cadbury Sweet Kondattam promotion.
Cadbury kaju katli, rasmalai and cashew bites feature on Gangotree’s menu. Get a taste of Cadbury kai murukku at Grand Sweets. The initiative also welcomed readers to share recipes of their innovative dishes using the brand’s classic Dairy Milk. At the grand finale on April 14 at VR Chennai, 24 of the 100 finalists (shortlisted by chef Damodharan and a team of judges), will battle it out with a mystery box challenge. We are expecting unusual recipes with traditional ingredients. Details: 8010885511
