Ganesh Chaturthi 2026

Gets A South Indian Favourite With Mani Kozhukattai

Mani Kozhukattai is a South Indian dish made from rice flour balls the size of pearls, steamed until soft, then seasoned with a pleasant tempering mixture. Also known as Ammini Kozhukattai, these rice balls are popular for their very fine texture and are usually made on special occasions such as Ganesh Chaturthi 2026. Compared to kozhukattai that are filled with stuffing, these little balls have no stuffing, which helps bring out the taste of rice flour and tempering. To make them, the dough is prepared and cooked before being formed into small balls. Steaming is done to give the dumplings the desired texture, somewhat chewy without being heavy. The balls, once steamed, are then mixed with mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves, dry chiles, coconut, and a little asafoetida. For the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival, the dish is suitable for its simplicity and its use of popular, native South Indian ingredients that are easy to prepare and serve in millions of bite-sized pieces. The recipe for cooking mani kozhukattai uses fresh coconut and cooked moong dal, which add to the dish's delightful texture, while the seasoning strikes a balance of flavours. Mani kozhukattai is tasty and delicious, and it is versatile enough to be served at any event, from a celebratory feast to a light snack. The dish is also an inevitable part of the homemade Ganapati Prasad, which can vary from household to household. The recipe comes in handy when one has leftover rice flour dough from previous kozhukattai preparations.