Kozhukkatta: Difference between revisions

| name = KozhukattaiKozhukatta

| caption = KozhukattaiKozhukatta/kozhukkattakozhukkattai

| country = [[Tamil NaduKerala, India]]

| region = [[Tamil NaduKerala]] and [[KeralaTamil Nadu]]

'''KozhukkattaiKozhukatta''' ({{lang-tamml|கொழுகட்டை)കൊഴുക്കട്ട}} or), '''kozhukattaKozhukkattai''' ({{lang-mltam|കൊഴുക്കട്ടகொழுகட்டை)}} or '''Kudumu''' ([[Telugu language|Telugu:]] కుడుము) is a popular [[South India]]n [[dumpling]] made from [[rice flour]], with a filling of grated [[coconut]], [[jaggery]], or [[chakkavaratti]]. KozhukattaiKozhukatta, although usually sweet, can sometimes be stuffed with a savory filling. ''[[Modak]]'' is a similar dish made in other parts of India.

The dish is prepared by mixing grated coconut with [[jaggery]] syrup, placing it inside dumplings of rice flour, and steaming the dumplings. [[Ghee]], cardamom, finely ground roasted rice flour etc. may be added to enhance the taste and flavourflavor of the filling. In Kerala, a variant of kozhukattaikozhukatta made with [[atta flour]] (instead of [[rice flour]]) and grated coconut is a staple breakfast among some groups.

In [[Tamil Nadu]], the dish is traditionally associated with the Hindu God [[Ganesha]] and is prepared as an offering (''[[naivedhya]]'') on the occasion of [[Vinayaka Chathurthi]]. In [[Kerala]], it is popularly associated with [[Palm Sunday|Oshana Sunday]] Sunday celebrations of [[Saint Thomas Christians]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://indiankeralafood.blogspot.in/2011/04/kozhukatta.html | title=Kerala Syrian Christian Cuisine: KOZHUKATTA | date=17 April 2011 }}</ref>, andIt is also eaten as an evening [[snack]] with tea or coffee. It is prepared by [[Saint Thomas Christians]] of Kerala on the Saturday prior to [[Palm Sunday]] and the day is hence called Kozhukatta Saturday.

''Kozhukkattai''Kozhukkatta is an important part of several natal customs of the [[Sri Lankan Tamil]] community. In northernNorthern and Eastern Sri Lanka, there is a custom involving dumplings whose edges are pressed to resemble teeth being dropped gently on a baby's head while the family wishes for the infant to develop healthy teeth.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sri Lanka. Ediz. Inglese|date=2006|page=71}}</ref> In eastern areas of Sri Lanka such as [[Ampara District|Amparai district]], a smaller version called ''piḷḷai kozhukkaṭṭai'' is prepared by female family members for an expectant mother about four months after conception. These sweets are commonly exchanged at weddings as auspicious symbols of "plump" health and fertility.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McCormack|first1=Carol|title=Ethnography of Fertility and Birth|date=1994|publisher=Waveland Press|page=46}}</ref>