Laddu

Laddu or laddoo is a spherical sweet from the Indian subcontinent made of various ingredients and sugar syrup or jaggery. It has been described as "perhaps the most universal and ancient of Indian sweets."

Laddus are often served during celebrations and religious festivals, especially those associated with the Hindu deity Ganesha.

History and etymology

The word laddu is derived from a Sanskrit term meaning "small ball."

In the 3rd-4th century Sanskrit medical text Sushruta Samhita, ladduka are described as small balls of jaggery, peanuts, and sesame seeds coated with honey. These balls were used as an antiseptic and to deliver medication.

Motichoor laddu

thumb|200px|Motichoor laddus

Motichoor ("crushed pearls" in Hindi) laddu is made from boondi, tiny fried balls of chickpea batter soaked in sugar syrup.

Thaggu ke laddu

Thaggu ke ("Cheat's") laddu is made from khoa (condensed milk), semolina, and white sugar and is a specialty of Kanpur, India. It was invented by Mattha Pandey, a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Pandey heard Gandhi refer to white sugar, which was popularized in India by the British, as "white poison" and disease-causing. Since his laddu was made with white sugar, he named it accordingly.

Gond ke laddu

thumb|Gond ke laddus

Gond ke laddu is made from roasted and powdered gond (gum arabic), ghee, jaggery, and sometimes battisa or keoka powder. It is commonly served in North India as a postpartum food.

Temple laddus

Some Hindu temples have their own laddu versions, which are offered to the deities and then served to devotees as prasada (sanctified food). The besan laddu served in the Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India, has been called "the most famous temple laddu." The Maa Tarini Temple in Ghatgaon, India serves laddus made from coconut and khoa. The special laddu at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, India is made from foxtail millet.

Others

thumb|Wheat flour laddus

thumb|Til (sesame seed) laddus

thumb|Rice flour laddus

Every region of India has its own version of laddu. In Rajasthan, laddus are made from wheat flour, in Maharashtra from sesame seeds, in Kerala from rice flour, and in Andhra Pradesh from rice flakes. Optional ingredients include grated coconut, roasted chickpeas, nuts, and raisins.

In popular culture

In the Sesame Street episode "Rakhi Road", the character Elmo is shown eating laddus. Laddus have also been featured in cooking shows and food programmes showcasing traditional Indian sweets.