Rajasthani Til Papdi Sesame Candy Winter Snack

Method

1. 1

   Dry roast sesame: Roast sesame seeds in a dry pan on medium-low, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Cool in a wide plate.

2. 2

   Grease a baking tray or marble surface: Grease the surface generously with oil.

3. 3

   Make the jaggery syrup: Place jaggery and water in a small heavy pot on medium heat. Stir until jaggery dissolves. Bring to a boil.

4. 4

   Cook to hard crack: Continue boiling the jaggery syrup — without stirring — until it reaches the hard crack stage (approximately 150°C). Test: drop a tiny amount into cold water — it should form a hard, brittle thread immediately. This stage is critical — under-cooked syrup produces chewy papdi rather than crispy.

5. 5

   Add sesame and spices: Quickly add the roasted sesame seeds, dry ginger powder and black pepper to the hot syrup. Stir rapidly for 5 seconds.

6. 6

   Pour immediately: Pour the entire sesame-jaggery mixture immediately onto the greased tray or marble. The mixture sets very quickly.

7. 7

   Spread thin: Using a greased rolling pin or the back of a greased spoon, quickly spread the mixture as thin as possible — aim for 3 to 4 mm thickness.

8. 8

   Score while warm: While still warm but set (after 1 to 2 minutes), score into rectangular pieces with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

9. 9

   Cool completely: Allow to cool completely until completely hard and brittle.

10. 10

    Break along score lines: Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container — it remains crispy for 3 to 4 weeks.

11. 11

    Note: Til Papdi (til = sesame, papdi = thin crispy slab) is the sesame brittle sold across Rajasthan from November through February — associated with the Makar Sankranti festival and the cold Rajasthani winter. The dry ginger and black pepper are specifically the Rajasthani addition that distinguishes this from plain sesame brittle — they add warmth appropriate for the cold desert winter and are traditionally considered to help maintain body warmth in the cold months.