Coconut Squares (खोब्रा वडी)Khobra vadi is the traditional Maharashtrian sweet made in most of the Maharashtrian homes. Again it is one of the delicacies which are made occasionally. Coconut if offered to God during any puja and as "prasad" it is given back as well. This "prasad" by itself can also be consumed or used in food. Most people used it with some curry or to garnish but to finish the full coconut is a task as it has to be consumed as early as possible before it starts releasing a foul odour from which we assume that the fruit has gone bad. My husband and i don't like coconut in the main food and since both of us have a sweet tooth, i thought of making the coconut squares (Khobra vadi) Since it is one of my husband's favourite sweet i decided to make it. It was my first time to make it as had never done it earlier and just watched while my mother used to make it. My Mother (a great cook)always used to tell me to learn the traditional sweets which are not difficult and are easy to make at home. I never took it seriously and often used to tell her that why can't we buy instead of making it by yourself. But today i can say mom was so right. The fun to make it and eat isn't the same as you buy it and it.
So let me share this recipe with all my friends who have sweet tooth as me and can make this at home with ready ingredients which I'm sure everyone has in their pantry.
Ingredients (साहित्य ) :
2 cups shredded/grated coconut (ओल खोब्र)
1 1/2 cups fine sugar (बारीक़ साखर )
1 tablespoon mik (दूध )
1 tsp cardamom powder (वेलदोडा )
2 tablespoon ghee (तुप )
Method (कृति) :
First in deep pan take only the white part of the grated coconut (if u take the brown part the squares / vadis will turn out darker), add ghee & sugar and on medium flame stir it until the sugar melts. Make sure you use a deep pan as once the sugar melts and the mixture has a semi solid consistency it bubbles and may burn you. Add little milk if you feel the mixture is dry. Let the coconut and sugar mixture cook well. It may take about 15-20 mins till it cooks well on a medium flame. Make sure it doesn't burn the mixture else you can lower the flame and keep stirring. Always use a wooden spatula / spoon. Once when the mixture starts getting thicker and a little solid turn the flame off and add the cardamom powder. On a tray / flat dish spread a little butter and immediately spread the coconut sugar mixture and pat it flat with the back of the spatula/spoon to form about an inch thicker layer. Once the mixture is half cooled cut them into squares and after it is completely cooled separate them and enjoy it anytime.
