Modak Magic: Sweet, Savoury, And Everything In Between
While the traditional ukadiche modak remains a cherished favourite, a plethora of innovative and delightful variations have emerged over the years
If you have ever been a part of Maharashtra’s Ganesh Utsav celebrations, one sweetmeat that is synonymous with this cultural tradition is Modak, a sweet dumpling that is often, and rightly called the ‘pure food of the gods’. In addition to being offerings to the Lord Ganesha, plates full of this bite-sized steamed sweets pass around in plates, and offered to devotees as they participate in revelry. And modaks have been an integral part of religious celebrations for ages.
Modaks are a traditional sweet associated with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Picture: Unsplash
Many historians and researchers talk about old sculptures in Ellora, as old as 6th century CE, with depictions of Ganesha with ladoos as well as modaks. The earliest forms of modak were simpler in design, made with basic ingredients such as rice flour, jaggery, and coconut. But today, it has undergone a fascinating evolution, transcending its humble beginnings to become a canvas for culinary creativity. There are many artisanal varieties of modaks such as Rose Kaju Modak, Motichoor Modak, Khoya Modak, and Khoya Kesar Modak that have made their way into modern eateries’ shelves across the country. Here are some of our favourites that you can savour this season:
Ukadiche Modak (Steamed Modak)
Ukadiche is the Marathi word for ‘steamed’. The quintessential ukadiche modak is a Maharashtrian sweet made with a soft, steamed rice flour shell that cradles a sweet and aromatic filling made of grated coconut and jaggery. This traditional delight is not only a divine offering during Ganesh Chaturthi but also a cherished treat for modak enthusiasts year-round.
Ukadiche modak. Picture: Unsplash
Fried Modak
A tempting twist on the traditional recipe, fried modak is another popular sweet that is savoured during Ganesh Chaturthi and offers a delightful crunch. Instead of steaming, these modaks are deep-fried to golden perfection, resulting in a crispy outer shell that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, gooey interior. Popular in many parts of India, they are often garnished with nuts and cardamom for an extra layer of flavour.
Fried modaks. Picture: Unsplash
Chocolate Modak
No modern rendition of a classic dessert is complete with the addition of chocolate. Embracing our perennial sweet-tooth cravings, the chocolate modak variety of this sweet wraps melted chocolate filling with a soft chocolate shell.
Chocolate modaks. Picture: Shutterstock
Kozhukattai
The 10-day long festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated as Vinayaka Chaturthi in South India, with states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala making their own version of modak, known as Kozhukattai or Kolukattai. While the external shell is similar to those used in Maharashtra, the filling for kozhukattai also sees addition of spices, poppy seeds/sesame seeds and ground nutmeg powder, which gives it a unique taste profile that reflects the region’s culinary diversity.
Dry Fruit Modak
For those who relish the richness of nuts and dried fruits, dry fruit modak is a luxurious treat. A mixture of finely chopped dry fruits, nuts, and khoya is used as the filling, creating a delectable blend of flavours and textures. Some eateries have also started offering white chocolate modaks that have kesar-pistachio and jaggery-coconut fillings.
Dry Fruit modak. Picture: Shutterstock
Mango Modak
India’s love affair with mangoes extends to modak as well. Mango modak features a mango-infused outer layer and a sweet mango pulp and khoya (milk solids) filling. The fruity aroma and tangy-sweet taste make it a seasonal favourite during the mango harvest.
Rava Modak
Rava modak are sweet dumplings where the outer covering is prepped with semolina (sooji) and the filling is made with fresh coconut and jaggery. This variety does not require steaming so the time required to prep this sweet dessert is greatly reduced.
Mango modak. Picture: Shutterstock
Savoury Modak
Modak is not limited to sweet variants alone. Savoury modaks are stuffed with a savoury mixture of spices, lentils, and vegetables and can be eaten throughout the year as a healthy snack. Often made with chana dal or moong dal, these modaks are a staple in Tamilian households during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. They are a delightful option for those who prefer savoury snacks over sweet ones.
The traditional ukadiche modak. Picture: Unsplash
