AriUnda - (Rice Ladoo) Traditional sweet of Kerala

Last week my dad's aunt and cousin were in Pune.  I visited them at my parent's place during Chai time and Mummy had made Ariunda (Ari = Rice & Unda = Balls) which is a traditional sweet of Kerala.  I do not have a sweet tooth... but the Ariunda's were so yummy that I must have eaten around 3 of them :). 

It is a very healthy sweet since it is devoid of oil, ghee, or sugar.  Ariyunda is a snack that is favourite among almost all Keralites.  This is made with just with 3 to 4 ingredients; rice, coconut, jaggery and cardamom.

It’s such a simple and easy snack which can be prepared in just a matter of minutes using the ingredients that are always seen in the kitchen.

One specialty about this rice balls is that you need to use Red rice or Par boiled Rice.    

The red rice is normally cooked in our households in Pune during the festival season.  The Red rice imparts an earthy and rustic flavor to this snack.

So get ready to make this traditional snack for your family & friends!

Ingredients :

Matta Rice / Brown Rice / Kuthari  - 1 cup  (this would be available in any Kerala Stores)

Powdered Jaggery                          - 1/3 cup

Grated Coconut                              - 1/3 cup

Cardamom pods                              - 5 nos

Salt                                               - 1 pinch

Method :

In a pan dry roast the rice.  Roast the rice till it starts spluttering.  It will give a crackling sound.  Add the cardamom seeds and continue roasting.  Ensure that the cardamom does not get burnt.  Switch off the gas and allow to cool.

Grind this in a blender to make a fine powder.  Grind or grate Jaggery and add the grated fresh coconut and a pinch of salt to this rice powder and jaggery and mix thoroughly.  Make medium sized balls and enjoy them at any time!