Ganpati festival comes with loads of fun and fervor. Although the whole of India welcomes their darling Lord Ganesha, the Elephant headed God of Hindu Mythology on this auspicious day, yet the festival has a special place in the hearts of people of Maharashtra, the biggest community festival in Maharashtra and is also celebrated in a grand way in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Telangana. Though Maharashtrians offer him with a variety of Modaks, an array of laddoos are offered to him universally which are considered to be his most favourite food on earth.
Though all kinds of laddoos are offered to him in the celebrations, yet I love the home made coconut laddoos on all religious occasions in my home. Even though the Summer is almost over now, and Mangoes are no longer a visual ecstasy in the fruit markets of India, you may still manage to find some mangoes somewhere, a bit expensive though but we do not mind spending a few more bucks in the name of Lord Ganpati/Ganesha. So it was not a bad idea to incorporate them in my coconut laddoos to please our beloved Ganesha….And I am sure lord Ganapati loved these mango flavoured coconut laddoos..😊😊Now, jump to the recipe if not tried yet.
RECIPE :
INGREDIENTS : ( for 5 to 6 laddoos )
1. Coconut ( grated) : 2 cups
2. Sugar : 2 tbsp
3. Grated Khoya ( for filling ) : 1 tbsp.
3. Milk ( thickened) : 1/2 cup OR grated Khoya : 1/4th cups.
4. Mango pulp : 1/3 cup
5: Cashew ( for garnishing ) : a few
PREPARATION :

1. Melt sugar in a pan with little water over a low flame by stirring in continuously. When the sugar melts completely, add grated coconut and mix well. Continue stirring for sometime over low flame until the mixture turns sticky.
2. After 3/4th of the thing is done, add the milk/khoya, mix well and stir till the milk gets absorbed well or the khoya blends completely with the coconut mix.
3. Add mango pulp to it, mix well and continue to stir till the mixture starts leaving the surface of your pan.
4. Then turn off the flame and take your mixture down.
5. When it cools down slightly i.e. to a bearable temperature, take a portion of the mixture, flatten it with your palm into a flat roundel, put a pinch khoya/mawa on it and roll the roundel into a ball using your palm and fingers.
6. Repeat step 5 for the remaining mixure.
7. Tap onto the top of your balls or laddoos with a piece of cashewnut for garnishing.
8. Your laddoos are ready to be served .

!! Ganpati Bappa Morya !!