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5 Ingredients that make black halwa healthy and tasty

Be the reason someone eats good snacks! And here we are!

Sweets have always been lifelong cravings for us. No matter how much sugar rush you have, there is always a special corner for that one sweet. Are you already gulping in the waters in your mouth? Black halwa is something that will keep you awake in the middle of the night and force you to steal a bite from it. We are sure halwa will brighten up your faces and you must be excited to read about it. So here, we bring you the ingredients of black halwa that make it an amazing sweet.

 

Why black halwa?

black halwa

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We are not being a racist here! It is the amazing colour of jaggery that makes it look dark brown in colour. This halwa is one of the famous Kerala sweets that you can serve anywhere and everywhere. Black halwa is loaded with good and healthy ingredients that enhance the flavours of your mouth. One must try out this yummy black halwa and make their day.

 

Healthy ingredients of black halwa

Although it is a sweet and a bit heavier, one cannot forget the healthy ingredients hidden in it. Hence, check out the benefits hidden in this yummy black halwa.

 

Rice flour

The best part about this black halwa is its core ingredient i.e., rice flour. It has a good amount of carbohydrates and is also rich in fibre. The fibre helps in improving your digestive system and prevents constipation. Your liver remains on a healthy track when you have rice flour included in your diet. So, this authentic black halwa all the way from Kerala will not cause any digestive disorders.

 

Jaggery

Another important element of this Kerala sweet is jaggery. The most favourite sweets are sweetened by jaggery. Be it wrapped around peanuts or embedded in halwa; jaggery enriches the flavour like never before. The best of all is that it prevents constipation by activating certain useful enzymes in your stomach. It also makes your blood thinner and prevents cholesterol or anything from blocking the internal passages.

One of the magical properties of jaggery is its analgesic properties. Be it menstrual cramps or usual headache; jaggery will help in relieving the pain eventually. Also, it is a natural sweetener and what is better than that? Black halwa is rich in jaggery and a bite or two from it will definitely help you with some of your health issues.

 

Coconut

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Who is not aware of the goodness in coconut? It has antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties which work like magic. It can help in your digestion, nourishing your skin, and keeping your organs safe from few harmful microbes. Coconut is rich in good cholesterol which avoids the accumulation of excess fat in your body parts.

 

Cashew nuts

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What is a sweet dish without nuts? Black halwa is taken to another level with cashews in it. Although it is advised for women to eat fewer cashews, two or three pieces will do no harm. When taken in considerable amount, cashews are really beneficial for health.

It has healthy vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. It keeps your skin healthy and prevents you from becoming anaemic. Cashews have antioxidants which help the enzymes in our body to function properly. Hence, the hint of cashews in our black halwa will soothe your taste buds like never before.

 

Cardamom

halwa

The flavour of cardamom is incredible. Apart from its flavour, it also has properties that will give you health benefits. It relieves the pain you get during acidity, which is also called heartburn. It avoids accumulation of gas in your stomach and neutralizes the spice which you consumed through your meal.

All digestive juices function well because of the hint of cardamom you have in your diet. Black halwa has a very small quantity of cardamom in it, which is only used for flavouring. This will also neutralize the sweetness rush in your body and will make this sweet digestible.

 

Precautions to be taken with black halwa

We have always supported healthy eating habits. Hence, there are few things you need to keep in mind when you get extremely excited about this authentic sweet from Kerala. Check them out!

  • Black halwa is rich in carbohydrate, so it is advisable for a diabetic person to consume a very little amount of it.
  • People with cholesterol issues should also watch the amount because the halwa is generally prepared in ghee.
  • It is always advisable to eat this black halwa in balanced quantity because too much of it can obviously affect your body.

 

Thus, after exploring the healthy ingredients, we can assure ourselves about this sweet. The best part about black halwa is that it fits all occasions. You can serve it during the marriage ceremony, birthdays, usual get together parties, kitty parties, routine dinner, etc. You can also consume a small amount of it as a snack. So what are you waiting for? Buy Kerala black halwa online or grab a detailed recipe for it. Do not miss out any opportunity to savour its unbeatable flavour!

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5 Jackfruit recipes and health benefits you must know

We have seen a lot of diversity when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Each of them has their own significance and plays a vital role in regulating our metabolism. Let us shift our focus towards one of the largest fruits known in the world i.e. Jackfruit. It is also known as Kathal in Hindi or Pazhapalam in Tamil.

Jackfruit has a significant role to play in Indian agriculture because it was grown even 60 centuries ago. Also, it has a relishing taste and a remarkable texture due to which it is called as vegetarian meat also. After cooking, it has little bit meat like consistency on chewing.

Jackfruit nutrition value

jackfruit

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It is rich in water content and has a very minimal value of fat. Jackfruit is rich in carbohydrates, protein, and provides an adequate amount of vitamin B6 and vitamin C to the human body. When you look at the mineral content of jackfruit, it has potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium which perfectly maintain the ionic balance of our body.

As far as its availability is concerned, it is readily available in coastal areas and also all the tropical countries. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh. Also, jackfruit is considered as an auspicious fruit besides banana and mango in Kerala and Tamilnadu.

Common and healthy Jackfruit recipes

Here are some of the easiest recipes that you can try without any difficulties at your home. Check them out!

Ripened jackfruit

jackfruit benefits

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This is commonly available in the market for an extremely nominal price. It is sweet to taste and has rich aroma that you will love. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Consuming one piece on daily basis will enrich your body with sufficient nutrition.

Jackfruit chips

These are one of the most famous south Indian snacks. One can order jackfruit chips online or get them from a shop nearby. It is crunchy and little bit hard to eat, but tastes perfect. You eat one ounce of it everyday as a snack and it will be good for your health.

Jackfruit gravy

You can cook it like any other vegetable curry in the gravy form. Boil the jackfruit and marinate it in oil and dried spices. Then prepare the usual gravy with onion, tomato and authentic spices. Add the marinated jackfruit in it and allow it to cook for 20 minutes. You can have it with chapati or rice.

Jackfruit pickle

The most favorite of all is pickle made from jackfruit. It is a usual process where you put all kinds of spices, oil, and marinate the jackfruit cubes with it. Allow it to ferment and absorb all the flavors under sunlight for few months. It can be consumed with any kind of bread, rice, or as a side dish enhancer.

Jackfruit fries / Pakoda

This is a unique but very simple and easy dish which you can try at home. When you take out the seed and its fruit, the remaining fibrous pulp is considered of no use. But you are wrong! You can take that string like pulp, soak it in water for 30 minutes, and marinate it with dry spices. Now you can mix it with chickpea flour and deep fry in olive oil. This is a very yummy snack and is also very healthy.

 

Health benefits of jackfruit

jackfruit recipe

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After going through the nutritional value and quick recipes of jackfruit, let us explore its health benefits. Many of us tend to underestimate the goodness hidden in jackfruit. But when you genuinely ponder upon its advantages, you will be amazed! Check this out!

Immunity

Jackfruit has one of the best antioxidants which can protect your body from any harmful reactions. It is like a natural reservoir of vitamin C that acts as a wonderful antioxidant. It slowly enhances your immunity and keeps you safe from infections and mild diseases.

Healthy digestion

As we already mentioned that jackfruit has a fibrous pulp, there is no doubt about it being helpful for digestion. The remarkable amount of roughage helps in assimilation and absorption, while the remaining waste is easily excreted outside the body. Hence, it prevents constipation and improves your appetite over a period of time.

Prevents colon cancer and piles

Because of its magical assistance in digestive system, the amount of harmful microbes and virus reduces. Hence, it significantly lowers the risk of colon cancer and also improves the problems arising due to piles. They are responsible for softening up your stool and making it easy to pass through the tract.

Protects eyes

jackfruit uses

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The vitamin A content of jackfruit is extremely beneficial for your eyes. It maintains the jelly-like vitreous chamber and nourishes its mucous content. It keeps your eyes safe from bacterial and viral infections.

Aging and wrinkles

Due to antioxidant properties, it prevents ageing and its effects on the skin. The vitamin C and vitamin A maintains the glow of the skin for a longer period of time. Also, the vitamin B6 keeps the skin healthy and safe from any skin infections or allergic response.

 

Apart from this, jackfruit helps in lot more areas such as recovering the lack of red blood cells, prevent asthma symptoms and retaining the calcium content of bone. When taken in sufficient quantity on regular basis, it keeps the overall system of the human body under control. Hence, it is evident that all the cures and remedies are available to us through natural resources. We just have to realize the true potential of these fruits, vegetables, and ingredients and use them accordingly.

Share your experience and unique recipes related to jackfruit. We would love to go through them. Eat healthily and stay fit!

 

External references

Wikipedia

Health benefits of Jackfruit

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Top 5 Kerala snacks that you will love

Indian cuisine is diverse in itself. It is like several cuisines within one! Food of every region and state has different taste and unique characteristics. When you closely look at them, you will find a lovely combination of same ingredients in various ways. And outcome of the same is of course worth appreciating. In this context, we will be focusing on traditional Kerala snacks which are famous worldwide. The richness and soothing flavors of coconut in Kerala snacks are worth giving a try. So let us talk about some of the favorite snacks from Kerala and know about them in detail.

 

Banana chips

kerala snacks

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One cannot talk about Kerala cuisine without mentioning banana chips at least once. It is one of the most loved Kerala snacks for kids. The crunchiness and amazing flavor of banana chips is unbeatable. One can definitely not stop themselves from falling in love with this snack. There are different recreations of banana chips if you want to bring about a twist in your usual routine of snacks.

Talking about nutritional value of banana chips, it has potassium that comes from banana. This helps in regulating the blood pressure and ionic balance of our body. Also, we know that banana chips are fried in coconut oil. Hence, the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of coconut will also increase the immunity. One can sprinkle some pepper/black salt/table salt over these chips and enjoy with hot or coffee.

 

Sweet banana chips

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As we talk about banana chips, it would be unfair if we didn’t mention about the sweet ones. Yes, these are special banana chips which are prominently available in Kerala. While the salty ones are made with raw bananas, these are prepared with ripened ones. Hence, the sweetness quotient remains intact.

The ripened bananas are sliced and fried in coconut oil with added sugar. Hints of spices are also added in some cases to enhance the taste of this wonderful Kerala snacks. It is served by Malayalis on all occasions ranging from festivals to house parties and marriages. Again, the nutrition and minerals of banana gets retained in these sweet chips.

 

Sharkara Varatti

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Talking about the recreations of banana chips, one cannot miss out on this mouth watering Kerala snacks. It is a unique version of banana chips which is coated with jaggery and has flavors of ginger and cardamom. It is exclusively restocked for the festival of Onam and is loved by every resident of South India. These are prepared by making slightly thick slices of raw bananas and are fried in coconut oil until they turn golden brown. It is coated with appropriate consistency of jaggery which is fused with flavors of ginger and cardamom.

Looking at the nutritional value, we all know that jaggery gives required warmth to body and helps in maintaining the metabolic activities. On the other hand, ginger is also one of the best anti-inflammatory substances which can also provide immunity against mild infections. Cardamom is another magical ingredient which can cure intestinal problems and constipation.

 

Kerala pakkavada

kerala cuisine

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Kerala snacks are incomplete without this delicious savory that comes in various shapes and sizes. The best of all is this Kerala pakkavada. It is a crunchy and little bit spicy which can please your taste buds in just one bite. Mostly seen in ribbon shape, this snack can also be consumed alongside spicy biryani or usual fried rice.

It is prepared with a blend of rice flour as well as chickpea flour (besan) kneaded into a semi solid dough. Chilli, turmeric, and some salt are added to bring about a wonderful taste in this Kerala snacks. There are equipments available in market through which it oozes out in ribbon shape. The best part about this snack, is that it gets cooked in less oil and is also very healthy and tasty.

 

Kerala mixture

Kerala snacks for kids

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Did someone say Kerala mixtures? Yes! How can we leave this behind? Mixtures and its unique elements have been favorite snacks to binge upon since forever. The roasted peanuts, the fried curry leaves and flavor of garlic is unforgettable at any cost.

These are prepared and fried separately and then mixed with each other to form a perfect blend of Kerala snacks in one platter. Any get together, party, or festival is dull without Kerala mixture. People from across the Indian subcontinent have expressed their fondness towards this mixture and they have totally loved its taste.

 

After exploring these five favorite Kerala snacks, many of you must have already ordered it online. We are lucky enough, because we can buy Kerala snacks online without much difficulty. So we would love to know which one of these are your favorite Kerala snacks. Share your feedback with us and we will come up with another exciting blog for you.