ELLIKAAYI GOJJU

Ellikaayi is called as “Citron” in English. Its also called as Heralekai in Kannada, Nimbu in Hindi, Dabba Kaaya in Telugu and Narthangai in Tamil. It is a citrus fruit with thick skin. Honestly, I have never seen this fruit in my life until recently. My Atte in Tumkur had prepared this gojju. This gojju is basically from Malnad region of Karnataka. And I must say, the taste of citron popped up in each bite, amongst the spiciness and a tinge of sweetness.

Nutritional benefits: 100g of citron gives 30kcal, 1.7g of fat, 26.1g of carbohydrates, 2.4g of protein 102mg of potassium and 29.1mg of Vitamin C.

· It is an excellent pain reliever. You could drink a glass of water with the juice of citron if you are having a headache. Also, it diminishes the migraine.

· As they are rich in Vitamin C, ingesting it with warm tea might decrease the lower respiratory tract diseases like common cold. And it also prevents scurvy.

· It helps in preventing cancer. Vitamin C present in them is a major antioxidant which will diminish the tumor.

· It may help in weight loss when consumed with warm water and a bit of honey, early in the morning.

· A glass of water mixed with the juice of citron will help against the acid reflux or pitha. Water cleans the throat from acid which has advanced up and the citron juice will unwind the torment for a brief period.

· Citrons are exhibited to incorporate great amounts of potassium and in addition magnesium, two dietary minerals of great significance to avoid coronary illness.

· This specific juice alongside warm water is yet another blood purifier, purging and also cleaning the liver.

Ingredients:

· Ellikaayi – 1 in number

· Red chilies- 5 in number

· Fenugreek – ¼ tsp

· Hing – a pinch

· Grated coconut – ½ in number

· Jaggery – 1 cup

· Salt to taste

· Turmeric powder- a pinch

· Oil- 1 tsp

For seasoning:

· Mustard seeds- ¼ tsp

· Black gram dal – ½ tsp

· Bengal gram dal (Channa dal)- ¼ tsp

· Red chilies – 1 in number

· Curry leaves – ½ tsp

· Oil – 1 Tbsp

Method:

1. Add 1 tsp of oil to a pan. Then add red chilies, fenugreek seeds, hing and fry till the fenugreek turns a little brownish.

2. Add grated coconut, the above masala and water in a blender and blend it to paste.

3. In a kadai, add oil (1 Tbsp), and all the ingredients for the seasoning mentioned above. Add the masala paste into the same kadai.

4. Add ½ cup of water to it and add salt, jaggery and a pinch of turmeric. Let it cook in low flame.

5. Add Ellikai juice to it and let it boil for a minute.

6. The Gojju is ready to serve!!