Description
This tangy and sweet Tamarind Candy is a traditional Indian treat made from tamarind, dates, and jaggery, blended with spices like chili powder and chaat masala. The candy offers a perfect balance of sour, sweet, and spicy flavors, making it a delightful mouth freshener or a toffee-like snack after meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 100 gram tamarind (seedless)
- 80 gram dates (khajoor)
- 2 cup hot water
- 100 gram jaggery
Spices and Additives
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp chaat masala
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ghee (clarified butter)
Instructions
- Soak Tamarind and Dates: In a large bowl, combine 100 grams of seedless tamarind and 80 grams of dates. Pour 2 cups of hot water over them and soak for 30 minutes to soften the ingredients.
- Blend Mixture: Transfer the soaked tamarind and dates along with the soaking water into a blender (mixi jar). Blend until it forms a smooth paste.
- Strain Paste: Pour the blended mixture through a fine strainer to remove any fibrous bits, ensuring the resulting liquid is smooth and creamy.
- Cook with Jaggery: Transfer the strained tamarind-date mixture into a large kadai (heavy-bottomed pan). Add 100 grams of jaggery and place on medium flame. Stir and cook until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Add Spices and Ghee: To the thickening mixture, add 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of chaat masala, ½ teaspoon of cumin powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of ghee. Mix thoroughly.
- Cook to Dough Consistency: Continue cooking on medium flame, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens further and starts to leave the sides of the pan, forming a firm dough-like consistency.
- Cool Down: Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely. Once cooled, the mixture will be firm and ready for shaping.
- Shape Candy: Take a teaspoon of the cooled mixture and wrap it in cling wrap tightly to form small tamarind candy pieces.
- Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy these imli candies as a flavorful mouth freshener after meals or as a sweet and tangy toffee snack.
Notes
- Ensure the tamarind is seedless for easier blending and smoother texture.
- Adjust chili powder according to your spice tolerance.
- Use fresh jaggery for best flavor; brown sugar can be substituted but will alter taste slightly.
- Store the candies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
- Wrap each piece in cling wrap to prevent drying out and for convenient serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: tamarind candy, imli candy, Indian sweets, tamarind toffee, homemade candy, tangy sweet snack
