Jiledikayalu (fastival sweet)

The main sweet dish during the vinayaka chavithi and varalaxmi vratam is the jiledikaayalu.

Varalakshmi Vratam is an important pooja performed by many women on friday of sravana masam.

Vinayaka chavithi is a very popular festival in hydrabed. It is celebrated as it is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fort. 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Life-like clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sold by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated & depict Lord Ganesh in various poses.

Lord Ganesh's favorite sweet is jiledikayalu. These are like sweet steamed rice flour dumplings. It is customary to make these during this festival. They are very delicate and tender.

1 cup rice flour

1 cup water

1 teaspoon oil

salt

For the filling

1 cup grated jaggery

1 cup grated fresh coconut

½ teaspoon cardamom powder

1 tablespoon ghee

Boil the one cup water and add 1 teaspoon oil and a little salt in the boiling water and stir. Reduce the flame, add the rice flour while stirring continuously. Whisk well so that no lumps remain. Cover with a lid and keep aside for 5 mints.

Meanwhile prepare filling

In a non-stick pan, add grated coconut and jaggery and cook over a slow flame till the jaggery melts and the mixture comes together. Add the cardamom powder and mix well.

Grease your palms with a little ghee and take 2 spoons prepared dough and press like small chapathi with the help of your fingers. Add a spoonful of the filling into this and fold them into ovel shap.

place the prepared jiledikayalu on a greased idly plates and steam for 5 mints in idly cooker.