Jharkhand Pitha Flat Steamed Rice Coconut Jaggery Festival

Method

1. 1

   Make filling: combine grated coconut and grated jaggery in a pan.

2. 2

   Heat on low-medium, stirring for 5 to 6 minutes until jaggery melts and binds with coconut. Add cardamom. Cool completely.

3. 3

   Make dough: combine rice flour and salt. Add hot water kneading with wet hands into a smooth moist dough.

4. 4

   Divide dough into 12 balls. Wet palms. Flatten one ball into a round 8 cm wide.

5. 5

   Place 1 tbsp filling in centre. Fold and seal edges completely.

6. 6

   Flatten the sealed dumpling gently into a disc — Jharkhand pitha is flat, not curved like other regional pithas.

7. 7

   Set up a steamer. Line with oiled cloth. Steam on medium for 15 to 18 minutes until outer layer is firm and translucent.

8. 8

   Serve warm with ghee.