Gond ki Panjeeri

                                                  

Gond or Dink or Tragacanth gum, is an “edible gum”, a resin that is extracted from the bark of the axle-wood tree. It is available in crystal form as pearly yellowish translucent pieces of varying sizes especially meant for eating after being cooked. Gond is normally prepared for pregnant ladies as it strengthens back bone & also for nursing mother as it is supposed to help in lactation. Gond Panjeeri is made on Janmashtami in north India. This recipe is high in calories but very yummy too, so you can have it in moderation. 

Ingredients
3 tbsp Gond/edible gum/dink (small pieces)
1 cup grated dry coconut
1/2 cup chopped Almonds
1/3 cup Water melon seeds

1 cup chopped Makhane/lotus seeds
2 cups Sugar
1 1/4 cups Water
1 tsp Green cardamom powder

2 tbsp desi ghee (clarified butter) for frying

Method

Grease the tray & keep aside.

Fry gond in ghee, in small batches.

It will fluff & become almost transparent when it is done. (these would swell 4-5 times their original size).

Fry makhanas till crisp on slow heat, keep aside.

Dry roast the seeds.

Chop the almonds & dry roast them.

Roast the dry coconut carefully as it burns easily.

Take a pan and add water, sugar & cardamom powder & cook till it reaches one string consistency.

Turn off the heat & mix all the dry fruits in it & transfer quickly to the greased tray.

Let it cool & cut into square or diamond shape pieces.

Ideally it should be 2" thick, leave it to set for about 3-4 hrs.

Store it in a airtight box.

Tips

* You can roast Gond in microwave - 

Take microwave safe plate & sprinkle the gond in it.

Keep the plate in microwave for approx 2 minutes.

After every 30 sec stir the Gond.

Take care as it burn fast.

* If you feel that after frying Gond pieces are big, you can grind it in mixer.

* Gond should be well fried & in small batches as it needs space to increase in size, under fried Gond will stick to your teeth.

* Other nuts & seeds can also be roasted in microwave.

* You can add dates, raisins, prunes etc also.

Note – It has both cooling and heat producing effects . In summer, after soaking in water it it becomes fluffy and soft . Consuming it in this form in summer helps to cool our body. In winter we use it after frying & grinding . It can be added to many sweets.  It generates heat in the body.