Gulgula

Rushina tells us "In the Netherlands, these "Dutch Doughnuts" (Oliebollen) are served New Years Day. Their round shape is said to symbolize "coming full circle" and completing a year's cycle. Eating them on New Years Day will bring good luck in the coming year. An apt substitute because it is so similar is the North Indian Gulgula, made by Garhwalis on celebratory occasions alongside the Pakoris. "

• 200 gm (7 ounces) jaggery or granulated sugar (see note below)
• 1/4 teaspoon water as required
• 100 gm (4 ounces) wheat flour
• 1 small banana, mashed
• Handful raisins
• 5 gm (1 teaspoon) fennel seeds
• 200 ml (7/8 cup) mustard oil
• Powdered sugar to dust (optional)

METHOD

Soak and dissolve jaggery in hot water and cool it. If using plain granulated sugar, you don't need to soak.

Make a paste of flour by adding jaggery and water.

Add mashed banana, raisins, fennel seed, and mix well.

Heat the oil in a pan and put a spoonful of the mixture in the oil when it has heated up properly. Deep fry spoonfuls of batter. (Dust with powdered sugar to make them look like Oliebollen - 'Dutch Doughnuts').

You could make these as pancakes if you are shy of frying.

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Contributor: Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal

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Jaggery is a traditional, unrefined, whole sugar. It contains minerals and vitamins present in sugar cane. If you can't find jaggery, use granulated sugar and omit the sooaking step.

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