Telangana Sakinalu Rice Sesame Festival Crisp

Method

1. 1

   Soak the rice: Wash 2 cups raw rice. Soak in 3 cups water for 4 hours.

2. 2

   Grind with sesame: Drain soaked rice. Grind in a mixer with dry roasted sesame seeds, cumin seeds, ajwain and salt. Add water gradually while grinding — about 1/2 cup. Grind for 4 minutes to a smooth, thick batter. The batter should be thick enough to hold a shape when piped.

3. 3

   Check batter consistency: The batter should be similar to a thick cookie dough — hold its shape when a small amount is piped onto a surface. If too thin, the sakinalu will not hold their spiral shape. If too thick, they will be dense.

4. 4

   Fill the mould: Use a murukku or chakli press with a star-shaped hole attachment. Fill the press with the batter.

5. 5

   Heat oil: Heat oil in a wide kadai on medium. Test: a small piece of batter should rise and sizzle within 2 seconds.

6. 6

   Pipe spirals into the oil: Holding the press above the oil, press the plunger while moving the press in a spiral circular motion — start from the centre and work outward. This creates the characteristic spiral shape about 8 to 10 cm in diameter directly in the oil.

7. 7

   Fry on medium heat: Fry the spiral without moving for 1 to 2 minutes until the bottom sets. Flip carefully with a slotted spoon. Fry 1 to 2 minutes on the second side.

8. 8

   Drain: Remove when golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

9. 9

   Cool completely: Sakinalu continue to crisp up as they cool. Let cool 5 minutes before tasting.

10. 10

    Store: Once fully cool, store in an airtight container. They stay crispy for up to 2 weeks.

11. 11

    Note: Sakinalu is the traditional harvest festival snack of Telangana — specifically made during Sankranti (mid-January) and distributed among family and neighbours as a festival gift. The spiral shape symbolises continuity and abundance. In Telangana villages, making sakinalu during the days before Sankranti is a communal activity where women gather in each other's homes to make large quantities together.