How to make “Nombu adai” for Karadayan Nonbu celebration?
Nombu adai (also known as Nombu kozhukattai) is a traditional South Indian snack that is often made during the Hindu festival of Karadayan Nonbu. It is a savory snack made from a mixture of rice flour and lentils, flavored with coconut, cumin, and other spices.
Nombu adai is a traditional South Indian snack that is specifically made during the Hindu festival of Karadayan Nonbu, also known as Savitri Vratam or Gowri Habba. This festival is celebrated by married women in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and some parts of Karnataka, to pray for the longevity and well-being of their husbands.
This particular dish holds great significance in the Hindu culture, some of the legends associated with Nombu Adai are as follows –
Religious Significance: According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Parvati performed the Karadayan Nonbu Vratam to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Nombu adai is one of the traditional dishes that is prepared during this festival to offer to the Goddess.
Nutritious: Nombu adai is made from a mixture of rice flour and lentils, which provides essential nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. It is a wholesome and healthy snack that provides energy to the women after their day-long fast.
Symbolic Representation: The shape of Nombu adai is also significant as it is believed to represent the symbol of unity and strength in a family. The adai is flattened with a hole in the center, which signifies the unity of the family members.
SO without further ado, here’s a simple recipe to make this holy dish Nombu adai at home:
Nombu Adai
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 grinder
- 1 Steam Plate / Idili Plate
- 1 Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup split yellow moong dal
- 1/4 cup split chana dal
- 1/4 cup grated coconut
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp asafoetida hing
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- Oil for greasing
Instructions
- Dry roast the split yellow moong dal and split chana dal in a pan until golden brown. Allow it to cool and grind it into a fine powder.
- In a mixing bowl, add the rice flour, ground dal powder, grated coconut, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add water and knead into a smooth dough. The dough should not be too soft or too hard.
- Divide the dough into equal-sized balls.
- Grease a steamer plate or idli plate with oil. Flatten each ball into a disc and place it on the greased plate.
- Steam the adai for 10-12 minutes or until cooked.
- Serve hot with chutney or sambar.
Notes
Serving size: 1 adai (medium-sized)
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 1g
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total carbohydrate: 13g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Nombu adai is a healthy and nutritious snack that is low in calories and fat, but high in carbohydrates and protein. It is a good source of dietary fiber and provides essential nutrients like iron and calcium from the lentils used in the recipe. The dish is also gluten-free, making it suitable for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
However, the calorie and nutrient content of the dish may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the size of the adai. Additionally, if you are watching your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of salt used in the recipe or opt for low-sodium alternatives. Overall, Nombu adai is a wholesome and healthy snack that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
