Arsa
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Fried sweets of soaked rice flour and jaggery, sent by Garhwali families to a daughter’s new home after marriage.
Region: Garhwal, UttarakhandOccasion: Weddings, festivals and gifts to relativesTime: 1 hr 30 min + overnight soakingServes: About 20 piecesVegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice, soaked overnight
- 1½ cups jaggery, grated
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- Oil for frying
Method
- Drain the rice and spread it on a cloth for 30 minutes until just damp. Grind it to a fine flour.
- Melt the jaggery in the water and boil to a thick, sticky syrup.
- Off the heat, stir in the rice flour and fennel and knead into a soft dough.
- Shape small balls, flatten them and press sesame seeds on top.
- Fry on medium heat until deep brown on both sides. Drain and cool; they keep for weeks.
History
Arsa is a traditional Garhwali sweet, made in large batches at weddings using rice and jaggery.
Significance
Families send arsa with a daughter when she visits her husband’s home, and share it with the whole village. It also keeps well for long journeys.