A Family Affair
When those days when rice was a staple and festivals were all about being together, doing together, and living together, Avalos Unda enjoyed its golden days in Kerala especially days leading up to Christmas and New Year, the women of a household were brought together and sometimes even neighbors turning the process into a communal celebration. Usually done in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year, the making of Avalos Unda became an event in itself.
Three to four women would gather around a makeshift hearth, with freshly ground rice flour, grated coconut, and jaggery at the ready. Each step was a coordinated effort—the rice flour was carefully roasted to perfection, the jaggery was melted into a fragrant syrup, and the coconut was mixed in just right.
This ancient treat, crafted with roasted rice flour, coconut, and jaggery, was more than just a snack, it involved a great art of combining the simple ingredients in right amounts to make the best, it’s no doubt an art.
One woman would roast the rice flour to a warm, nutty aroma, while another grated fresh coconuts with practiced ease. Someone else would melt jaggery into a fragrant syrup, while the youngest lent a hand mixing the ingredients. The final step—shaping the mixture into perfect rounds—was done amid laughter and shared stories. The process was labor-intensive, but the joy of working together made time fly.
The Craft of Making Avalos Podi
The essence of Avalos Unda lies in its foundational ingredient: Avalos Podi (roasted rice flour). Here’s how it was traditionally prepared:
- Selecting the Rice: High-quality raw rice was chosen, often parboiled rice, which was cleaned meticulously to ensure no impurities.
- Soaking and Drying: The rice was soaked for a few hours to soften it. It was then dried under the sun on large mats, a process that enhanced its natural flavor.
- Roasting to Perfection: The dried rice was roasted on low heat in a heavy-bottomed pan or an uruli (traditional brass vessel). The women took turns stirring patiently, ensuring the grains turned a perfect golden brown without burning.
- Grinding: Once cooled, the roasted rice was ground into a fine flour using traditional stone grinders. The result was a fragrant, slightly nutty podi.
This Avalos Podi was the soul of the sweet and was often made in bulk to last for months.
Making Avalos Unda
Once the Avalos Podi was ready, the process of creating the undas began:
- Coconut Magic: Freshly grated coconut was added to the rice flour. This was toasted lightly to blend the flavors.
- Sweetening with Jaggery: Jaggery was melted into a thick syrup and strained to remove impurities. It was then poured over the rice flour and coconut mixture, binding them together.
- Shaping the Undas: While the mixture was still warm, it was shaped into small balls by hand. The warmth made the jaggery pliable, and the aroma was irresistible.
The Art of Longevity
One of the most remarkable aspects of Avalos Unda was its shelf life. Thanks to the careful roasting and the natural preservative qualities of jaggery, these treats could last up to six or seven months without losing their flavor or texture. They were carefully stored in large, airtight tins and brought out on special occasions or as a snack to accompany a hot cup of chai.
A Gift of Love
The true magic of Avalos Unda lay in its role as a gift. During Christmas and New Year, these handmade treats were lovingly packed and gifted to relatives, friends, and neighbors. Unlike store-bought sweets, Avalos Unda carried the warmth of home, the effort of many hands, and the spirit of togetherness. It was a gift that celebrated relationships, heritage, and the joy of giving.
Lost to the Fast-Paced Era
With the advent of fast-paced lifestyles, modern baking, and mass-produced sweets, the labor-intensive process of making Avalos Unda began to fade. The tradition that once symbolized unity and culture was replaced by convenience. Today, only a few households keep this practice alive, often as a nostalgic nod to their roots.
As we embrace the festive season, let’s take a moment to rediscover the magic of Avalos Unda. Imagine the joy of bringing family members together to recreate this ancient recipe, the satisfaction of tasting something made with love, and the pride of reviving a piece of our culinary history.
In a world where everything is fast and instant, Avalos Unda reminds us of the beauty of slowing down, coming together, and cherishing the simple things in life. This festive season, let’s honor our past and pass it forward—one delightful unda at a time.
Have you tried making Avalos Unda or have stories about it? Share your memories and let’s celebrate this forgotten gem together!