Nel pori

Nel Pori is a traditional South Indian sweet, primarily made with puffed paddy (nel pori) and jaggery. This crispy and light snack is a key part of festive celebrations, especially during Karthigai Deepam, a Tamil festival where it holds a symbolic role in religious offerings. With its unique blend of flavours and textures, Nel Pori brings a nostalgic connection to cultural traditions.

Simple Ingredients, Authentic Flavour

Nel Pori is made from simple, natural ingredients that give it an earthy and wholesome flavor. The key ingredients include:

• Puffed Paddy (Nel Pori): Light, crispy puffed rice grains.
• Jaggery: Unrefined cane sugar that gives the sweet its signature flavour and aroma.
• Coconut: Freshly grated or finely chopped coconut for added richness.
• Cardamom: A warm spice that enhances the overall taste.

Crunchy and Sweet Delight

The crispy texture of puffed paddy combines perfectly with the sweet, sticky jaggery syrup. As the syrup binds the puffed rice, it creates a crunchy treat with a balanced sweetness, making it an addictive snack for all ages.

Traditional Preparation Method

The preparation of Nel Pori is simple yet requires careful attention to detail. The jaggery is melted to the right consistency, forming a syrup that coats the puffed paddy evenly. Some families add roasted sesame seeds or peanuts for added flavour and crunch. Once the ingredients are combined, the mixture can be shaped into balls or left loose in clusters for easy snacking.

Symbolism During Karthigai Deepam

Nel Pori holds a deep cultural significance during Karthigai Deepam, where it is offered to deities and shared among family members as a symbol of prosperity and joy. The sweet’s lightness and sweetness represent the simplicity and purity of life, adding to the festive charm.

Karthigai Deepam Prasad

Aval pori and Nel pori are the two main recipes that we make for Karthigai Deepam.  It is easily found in stores during the time of the Karthigai Deepam Festival. Aval Pori, Nel Pori, Neyyappam, Karthigai Adai are the traditional recipes made on Karthigai Deepam day as neivedhyam / Prashad. We lit lamp in the evening, do pooja, offer all the Prashad to God. This festival of lights is similar to Bhai Dooj or Rakshabandhan in other parts of India, so we pray for the goodness and welfare of our brothers on this special day. We give all the dishes made on this day to them and bless them if we are elders or get the blessings from them if we are younger to them.

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Nel Pori

Niranjana Sankaranarayanan

Aval pori and Nel pori are the two main recipes that we make for Karthigai Deepam.  It is easily found in stores during the time of the Karthigai Deepam Festival. Aval Pori, Nel Pori, Neyyappam, Karthigai Adai are the traditional recipes made on Karthigai Deepam day as neivedhyam / Prashad. We lit lamp in the evening, do pooja, offer all the Prashad to God. This festival of lights is similar to Bhai Dooj or Rakshabandhan in other parts of India, so we pray for the goodness and welfare of our brothers on this special day. We give all the dishes made on this day to them and bless them if we are elders or get the blessings from them if we are younger to them.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Sweet

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Servings 6 cups

Equipment

• Pan

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups Nel pori
• 1 cup Jaggery
• 1/2 cup Finely chopped coconut pieces
• 1/2 tsp Dried ginger powder or Cardamom powder (Chukku powder / Elaichi powder )
• 1 tsp Ghee
• 1/4 cup Water

Instructions

 

• In a heavy bottomed vessel, add a cup of jaggery, little water and dissolve it completely.
• Once the jaggery is dissolved, you can strain it if it has dust paricles in it. Otherwise you can proceed with the next step directly.Otherwise you can proceed with the next step directly.
• Once the jaggery is dissolved completely, add coconut pieces, dried ginger powder and ghee.
• Continue to boil it until you get a soft ball consistency.
• To check the syrup consistency, add a drop of syrup into the water.
• It should not dissolve. You should be able to make ball out of it.
• It is the right stage to add the nel pori into the syrup. Keep the stove in medium flame while adding the nel pori.
• Mix it well and turn off the stove. nel pori is ready.

Video

Notes

Make the right consistency of jaggery syrup. If not Nel pori wont taste good.

Keyword Light festival sweets, Nel pori, Traditional sweets

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a heavy bottomed vessel, add a cup of jaggery, little water and dissolve it completely.

• Once the jaggery is dissolved, you can strain it if it has dust particles in it. Otherwise you can proceed with the next step directly.

• Once the jaggery is dissolved completely, add coconut pieces, dried ginger powder and ghee.
• Continue to boil it until you get a soft ball consistency.

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