Tilgul Recipe

Tilgul is a traditional sweet that holds great cultural significance in India, especially in the western state of Maharashtra. It is made from toasted sesame seeds and jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) and is often shaped into small balls or bars. Tilgul is considered an auspicious food and is exchanged during festivals such as Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival celebrated on 14 January every year. The exchange of Tilgul during Makar Sankranti symbolizes the exchange of wishes and love between people. Eating Tilgul during the festival also brings good health and prosperity. Sweets are also enjoyed during other festivals like Diwali, Dussehra and Holi.

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 minute

Cooking Time: 15 minute, plus cooling time

Makes: 30 to 35

Ingredients

• 1 kg white seasame seeds
• 30 gram desiccated coconut
• 70 gram peanuts, with skins on
• 500 gram jaggery
• 1 teaspoon ghee
• 1 teaspoon ground green cardmom
• Vegetable Oil, for oiling

Method

• Place a frying pan over low heat, add the sesame seeds and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown .
• Remove from the pan.
• Add the coconut to the pan add stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until light brown.
• Remove from the pan.
• Add the peanuts to the pan and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until golden, then remove from the pan , remove the skin and crush.
• Heat the jaggery in a heavy-based pan over low heat for 2 minutes.
• Add the ghee and cook for 1-2 minutes until jaggery changes colour.
• Add the sesame seeds, coconut , peanuts and ground cardamom, then mix well.
• Oil the palms or your hands with a little oil and roll the mixture into small equal-sized balls, then set on a tray. This has to be done when the mixture is hot because it hardens very fast. Set the balls aside to cool.

On Makar Sankranti, why do we eat til and gur?

India’s major holiday is Makar Sankranti. The sun crosses the Tropic of Cancer today, moving from the Tropic of Capricorn (Dakshinayan) (Uttarayana). Makar Sankranti is celebrated all throughout the nation under various names. It is referred as as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. It is known as Magh Bihu and Bhogal Bihu in Assam. It is referred to as Lohri festivity in Punjab and Haryana. It is celebrated as a Khichdi or Donation celebration in Uttar Pradesh. It is known as the Khichdi feast or Til Sankranti in Bihar.

Makar Sankranti and stringent convictions: It is sometimes assumed that the celebration of Makar Sankranti has certain strict convictions because it is celebrated with confidence and joy throughout all of India. Many of our rigorous publications that educate about the event’s strict significance make reference to this occasion. The half-year of Uttarayan is the god’s day season, according to the austere sacred literature known as the “Gita,” also known as the speech of Lord Krishna.

Additionally, the half-year of Dakshinayan is Gods’ night. It is common knowledge that someone who forfeits their body (dies) in Uttarayan receives a circumstance in “Krishna Lok.” The person who perishes in Dakshinayan, nevertheless, who is released, has to be recreated.

Bhishma Pithama possessed the ability to wish for his own demise during the time of the Mahabharata. Despite being on the bed of bolts, he did not give up his life in the Dakshinayan because he believed that the Sun would enter the Uttarayan. It is accepted that Bhishma Pitamah disposed of his body on Makar Sankranti, when the sun reached the Uttarayan.

Another stringent narrative related to Makar Sankranti illustrates how Yashoda Mata acted quickly to have Lord Krishna as her child. Makar Sankranti is also linked to the story of Gangawatran. According to legend, Ganga accompanied Bhagirath Muni and met the sea on the eve of Makar Sankranti. On Makar Sankranti, a swarm of enthusiasts cleans up in Gangasagar to combine the Ganga and the sea.

Saturn is represented by Capricorn. The sun enters Saturn’s sign on the eve of Makar Sankranti. Sun The father of Saturn is God. The father visits his child at home. Both the Sun and Saturn are powerful planets with potential endowments that can help humans advance extraordinarily. From now on, people charm the sun and Saturn at the auspicious Makar Sankranti holiday.

The Festival of Truth, Virtue, and Religion is Makar Sankranti.

While day is seen as the symbol of truth, prudence, and religion, night is thought of as the image of wickedness, fraud, and wrongdoings. In this manner, all idealistic labour is carried out on the day of the Gods. The finished result is also respectable. The length of the days and the duration of the night both increase with the entrance of Makar Sankrati and the sun’s entry into the Uttarayan. People applaud the positive development since starting today, Heaven’s doors are open.

The sun enters Uttarayan on the day of Makar Sankranti, bringing with it lengthy days. Married women pray to the Sun God for their spouses’ long lives and give gifts to their elderly relatives. As a result, they see it as a sign that as the days lengthen, so too does their husbands’ life expectancy.

Benifits

Tilgul, a traditional Indian sweet made from roasted sesame seeds and jaggery, offers several health benefits, some of which include:

Rich in Nutrients Sesame seeds are rich in essential nutrients like iron, calcium and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and muscles.

Boosts immunity: Sesame seeds are a rich source of antioxidants like sesamol and sesamin, which help boost the immune system.

Aids digestion: The jaggery in tilgul is known for its digestive properties, as it aids digestion, regulates bowel movements and prevents constipation.

Reduces swelling and joint pain: The anti-inflammatory properties of sesame seeds in sesame seeds help reduce swelling and joint pain.

Promotes bone health: The calcium and phosphorus present in tilgul help promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis.

Provides instant energy: The natural sugars present in jaggery provide instant energy to the body, making tilgul a great snack for a quick energy boost.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels The fiber in sesame seeds helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart diseases.

Reduces menstrual cramps: The jaggery in Tilgul helps in reducing menstrual cramps and other symptoms of PMS.

Maintains Healthy Skin and Hair: Sesame seeds in Tilgul are rich in zinc, which helps in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Reduces stress and anxiety: The magnesium present in sesame helps reduce stress and anxiety, making sesame seeds a great snack to enjoy during stressful times.

How to include Tilgul in your diet

Tilgul is a delicious and healthy dessert that can be easily included in your diet in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions for including tilgul in your daily diet:

Snack on Sesame Balls: You can snack on Sesame Balls or Bars throughout the day for a quick energy boost.

Add Tilgul to your breakfast: You can add Tilgul to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal for a sweet and healthy start to your day.

Make Tilgul Smoothie: You can blend Tilgul with milk or yogurt to make a healthy and delicious smoothie.

Use sesame seeds as a topping: You can use sesame seeds as a topping for desserts like ice cream or fruit salads for extra crunch and sweetness.

Bake with sesame seeds: You can add chopped sesame seeds to baked goods like cookies or muffins for a healthy and delicious flavor.

Make Til Gur Chikki: Tilgul Chikki made of sesame and jaggery is a crispy and healthy snack. You can easily make it at home and enjoy it as a snack throughout the day.

Use sesame seeds in trail mix. You can add sesame seeds to your favorite trail mix for a healthy and tasty snack on the go.

Remember to consume tilgul in moderation as it is high in calories due to the presence of jaggery.