Journalism of Courage
When it comes to food,the one thing that comes to mind during the Ganesh Festival is the traditional sweet treat – Modak. And this year,the market is flooded with different varieties to suit each one’s taste. So,pick your flavours and enjoy a platterful of this festive delight.
All time favourites
The original flavour hasn’t been side-lined even as a variety of flavours are being introduced in the market every year. Available in every sweet shop across the city,ranging from Rs 230 to Rs 250 per kg,
The malai modak is undoubtedly the all-time favourite. Malai modaks are given as prasad in our society after the aarti. When the prasad thali comes to me,I dont hesitate to pick up two or three at a time, says Neha Vissani,resident of Commonwealth Housing Society. A dash of saffron in the basic stage of preparation imparts an orangish colour and a richer taste which turns the malai modak into a kesari modak. There’s a mango flavour available too. The Kesari flavour ranges from Rs 320 to Rs 350 per kg whereas the mango flavour is priced at Rs 320 to 370.
Coconut Craving
This one is believed to be Ganpati’s favourite modak. Usually made at home,it is a tedious preparation which is certainly worth all the effort. Coconut and jaggery are mixed and stuffed into dumplings of wheat dough,which are then deep fried in coconut oil. Ready-made fried coconut modaks are available at Karachi Sweets for Rs 320 per kg. Baked versions of the coconut flavour are available at Sagar Sweets,at Anand Nagar,Deccan Gymkhana and Kothrud outlets for Rs 15 per piece. Bhavnagri Fancy Sweet Mart at Camp offers steamed coconut modaks for Rs 280 per kg.
Chocolate Bites
The craze for the chocolate modak has really caught on in the city. A tray full of chocolate modaks is hard to resist and children as well as adults give in to the temptation. With a chocolatey taste in smooth creamy texture,these modaks are bliss for chocoholics. Ranging from Rs 300 to 400,depending on size and quality,they’re available at almost every sweet shop in town.
Sugar-free surprises
Everyone is allowed to binge on this variety. Sugar-free modaks are a boon for many. Sugar-free malai modak is made with milk and sugar substitutes and garnished with pista nuts so it can be eaten during fasts as well, informs Amit Gadve,proprietor of Kaka Halwai sweets which has 16 outlets throughout the city. These sugar-free modaks are available in kesari,mango,pista and malai flavours. My wife and I behave just like our grandchildren when it comes to modaks. We don’t need to worry about health problems as our son buys the sugar-free versions of different flavours, says Ashok Yadav,retired businessman.
Disco Delights
Karachi Sweets on MG Road has jazzed up its malai modaks with colourful wrappings that look like disco balls! People buy different flavours of modaks like chocolate and mango but the malai modak generates the highest sales. So,we thought of innovating and giving it a little twist. It has already become quite popular, says Maruti Mare,salesman at Karachi Sweets.
