No Sugar no Butter- Jaggery Coconut Balls (Kobbari Louz)

Let’s be honest: Anything that seriously satisfies our sweet tooth isn’t going to be the essence of a healthy meal. Desserts often go to the Do Not Eat list when you’re trying to stay fit and healthy. But you don’t have to sacrifice the occasional sweet treat, especially if its DIWALI.

OK! You want to have sweet but a little healthier version. Here is the one you are looking for- South Indian dessert packed with a goodness of nutrition and taste.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 Cups – Fresh Grated Coconut
• 1 cup- water
• 1 Cup – Grated or whole Jaggery
• 1/2 tsp – Fresh Cardamom powder
• Pinch of salt
• Nuts (optional)

METHOD:

1. In a pan dry roast grated coconut. Cook on slow flame with regular stirring. Stir it constantly to prevent burning. To me, it took 3-5 minutes.
2. In another pan take 1 cup water and add jaggery and salt. let it melt  on a low flame. Keep boiling until jaggery dissolves. Set this  mixture aside.
3. If your jaggery is clean you can directly pour it to the coconut. If it’s not clean, sieve the water jaggery mixture  through the tea strainer.
4. After adding the jaggery and water mixture to coconut; Keep cooking and stirring till all the moisture evaporates from the mixture and it begins to look dry. Keep cooking in slow flame until the mixture becomes almost dry.
5. Add cardamom powder, nuts of your choice, mix well to combine everything well.
6. Transfer the mixture to a plate or bowl and allow to cool, when the mixture remains slightly warm take small ball size mixture, press and roll to shape of a round ball.

Enjoy!