As winter walks down the aisle in India, it brings many things along with it including cozy and soft home made sweaters, foggy and chilly mornings, cup of hot masaledar chai, warm blankets, and of course, Makar Sankranti treats made specially with Til (sesame seeds) and Gur (jaggery).
When a cold breeze arrives a festive spirit takes over the day and nights. Indian kitchens literally start buzzing with the tempting smell of roasted sesame, melting jaggery, pure ghee, and seasonal spices. These ingredients don’t just elevate the flavors of sweets but they also take responsibility for carrying culture, warmth, and so many happy memories.
Indian generations know it well that Til and Gur have always been an important part of Makar Sankranti, and we all grew up eating delicious Til ladoos, chikki, and many other similar treats during this festival. But have you ever wondered why these two ingredients til and gur are so much connected to our winter and Sankranti celebrations?
What are you waiting for? Let’s embark on a warm and delicious journey to understand their traditional significance, nutritional quotient, mouth watering recipes, and a little bit of nostalgia.
Why Til and Gur Are Special During Sankranti
To start with, let’s understand how Makar Sakranti is interconnected with til and gur. In Maharashtra, people say a very beautiful phrase and that’s mostly used during Sankranti:
“Til gud ghya ani god god bola.”
It means eat sesame and jaggery, and speak sweetly. So nice and good, right?
Honestly, this is more than just a greeting. It is a gentle reminder to be kind, warm, and loving just like the ultimate soul nourishing flavors of amazing Til Gur.
Across India, there are so many versions of sesame and jaggery sweets some of them are—
- Til & Gud’s Ladoo in Maharashtra
- Revadi and Gajak in North India
- Ellu Bella in Karnataka
- Ubbati/Obbattu with sesame jaggery filling in South India
- Til chakki or chikki in Gujarat and Rajasthan
Why does this ultimate tradition go beyond our taste or celebration? Because Til and Gur naturally keeps the human body warm during the winter season. Sesame seeds are well known in Ayurveda as a natural heat and strength boosting ingredient. Not only this jaggery also helps in digestion, energizes our body, and provides us with all the essential minerals.
So these are not only sweet but they’re winter wellness wrapped in remarkable deliciousness.
Nutritional Benefits: Tiny Seeds and Natural Sweetness, Big Power
Sesame Seeds (Til)
Here are some of their health benefits:
- Rich in calcium — supports bone and teeth health
- Good source of iron — good for blood production and circulation
- Packed with healthy fats and protein — Keeps you full and energetic throughout the day.
- High in antioxidants and zinc — good for skin and immune system
- Contains magnesium — good for nerves and muscles
In chilly cold weather, our metabolism slows down and joints often feel stiff. Sesame seeds help to keep our body warm, energetic, and completely nourished.
Jaggery (Gur)
It is also known as the golden sweetener and it is healthier than ordinary refined sugar. Here’s what jaggery provides:
- Iron prevents anemia
- Potassium regulates blood pressure
- Antioxidants is good for immunity and detoxification
- A natural energy booster that boosts energy without any sudden sugar crashes
- Supports digestion because it activates digestive enzymes
Til + Gur together are just like a superfood duo for winter season.
Iconic Sankranti Recipes with Til and Gur
Now let’s explore some of the easy to make and classic recipes that taste just like heaven and are perfect for the winter season.
1. Til Gur Ladoo (Sesame Jaggery Laddoos)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sesame seeds (take white or black, you can use their mix too)
- ¾ cup of grated jaggery
- 1 tablespoon of pure ghee
- Cardamom powder, chopped nuts and raisins for flavor and texture.
Steps:
- Take a pan and roast these sesame seeds on low to medium flame until they get slightly golden and aromatic.
- Then heat the jaggery with some pure ghee on low flame until it melts into a caramelized syrup.
- Add cardamom powder and roasted nuts.
- Mix them in roasted sesame seeds.
- To give them shape, start rolling them into ladoos when the mixture is warm and let them set well.
Your crunchy, nutty, and naturally sweet ladoos are perfectly ready. It goes well with evening tea and even a post-meal treat.
2. Til Chikki (Sesame Brittle)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sesame seeds
- ½ cup of jaggery
- Pure ghee for greasing
Steps:
- In a pan roast some sesame seeds lightly and keep them aside.
- Melt some jaggery on low flame until it forms a thick and caramel-like syrup.
- Add sesame seeds and blend the mixture quickly.
- Spread it on a greased plate then flatten with a rolling pin.
- Cut it all into squares or your favourite shape before it hardens.
This crispy, simple, and easy to make Til chikki is a must-have winter snack.
3. Til Gur Chawal (Sesame Jaggery Rice)
This comforting and aromatic dish tastes just like a warm hug in winter.
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Jaggery
- Roasted sesame seeds
- Dry ginger powder
- Fennel seeds
- Cashews
- Raisins
How to Make:
- Take cooked rice and mix them with melted jaggery syrup.
- Add some roasted sesame seeds.
- Add dry ginger powder, fennel seeds, cashews, and raisins in it and stir to mix it well.
Serve it all warm and enjoy the soothing sweet delight.
Why These Foods Are Perfect for Winter
But what makes these delights a must have in winters? One of the most interesting facts about Indian traditional food is how easily recipes evolve over generations and align with seasonal requirements. Winter can come up with problems like:
- Stiff joints
- Dry skin
- Low energy
- Digestive discomfort
- Til and Gur help relieve all of these health problems naturally by:
- Improving digestion
- Supporting overall joint health
- Boosting metabolism
- Increasing warmth and stamina
- Providing essential minerals
Not only this, even modern research supports this ancient food science.
Fun Facts About Til & Gur
- Did you know Til is one of the oldest oil-rich seeds? Yes it has been known to humans for over 5000 years!
- In different cultures, sesame represents good luck and blessings.
- According to Ayurveda, jaggery is considered as a natural cleanser for our respiratory system.
- To stay energetic in chilly winters farmers often eat Til and Gur sweets.
Chef Tips for Perfect Til & Gur Sweets
- You can roast these sesame seeds slowly to bring out their rich aroma without any risk of burning them.
- Look for fresh jaggery that’s not very old or hard. It should have a better texture.
- Add flavorful spices like cardamom powder, dry ginger along with black pepper. They don’t only enhance the flavor but also support the digestive system.
- To increase the shelf life, store these ladoos and chikkis in an airtight container.
Wrapping It All Up
You might have understood by now that Til and Gur are more than ordinary ingredients. They are an essential part of our culture, festivals, and even memories. Every single bite carries love, warmth, and a sense of familiarity.
Whether it’s that crunch of Til chikki or the mesmerizing softness of these ladoos, or just the home-like comfort of Til, Gur and chawal, these winter treats always remind us of those simpler times, when we enjoyed family gatherings, and seasonal wisdom passed down through one generation to another.
So enjoy these wholesome natural energy booster this Makar Sankranti. These sweets are guilt-free and absolutely healthy. The warmth of Til and Gur will fill your home with endless joy, sweetness, and good health. For more interesting sankranti special sweets recipes stay tuned with us at Chefs Home Around!
Wishing you a warm, sweet, and happy Sankranti!
