Updated: September 2010
This sweet (dumpling) is prepared in Karnataka, in which instead of steaming they fry it. They call it by a special name called ‘Karjikaai‘; It resembles Samosa but tastewise, it is sweet.
Karanji is a similar sweet known only by a different name in Maharashtra.
The Coconut and Cardamom stuffing give it a unique taste. It is prepared during Southern India festivals like Ugadi, Deepavali and Ganesha Chathurthi.
Update:
- 5 Kozhakattai recipes (Modakam, Kadubu) for Ganesha festival is here
- 5 more Ganesha Chathurthi recipes are here
You will need:
- 1 cup wheat Atta [or wheat flour]
- 4 table spoons Ghee
- Salt to taste [a pinch]
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 3 cups sugar
- A little milk
- Raisins
Method:
- Mix the flour, salt and ghee well. add water and make a dough as for chapattis. Keep aside.
- Cook the coconut, sugar, milk, raisins and cardamom powder till dry. This is for the stuffing.
- Make balls out of the dough. Roll them into little Rotis, place some stuffing in the centre , fold into semi circles and bind the edges together. You can use the milk for this for extra bonding.
- Take care to see the edges are closed completely. Otherwise they’ll open in the oil and disintegrate.
- Fry till light brown. The end-result should be crispy Karjikai with the sweet coconut layer coated inside.
- Serve hot.
Browse more Indian sweet recipes at Indian Food Kitchen main website. Please leave your feedback using the comment form below. Thanks 
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this is known as ‘karanji’ in maharashtra and as ‘nevryo’ in goa
Thanks Ashu, I knew about the Karanji, but didn’t know that Goa also had a specialty.
Thanks:) i tried ur receipe . which brought me so much praise. and i just love it.
Thank you Tania, for the kind words
You can keep sweet khoa also as stuffing its also good.
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Thanks Lakshmi; that sounds yummy. Will ask my mother to prepare it for this festival (Ugadi).
woww…. a great recipe thank u
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http://goo.gl/C2Pr
I just came across this blog now, found good information, will be expecting more such blogs from you,
Thank you Dheeraj. Will keep you hungry with more recipes
Karanji is a similar sweet known only by a different name in Gujarat.This is known as ‘ghughara. For stuffing we add rava (sogi) ghee in there.Gugarati makes ghughara during Dipawali.
Kind of you to share that Veena. Please share the entire recipe with us.
Karjkaai is diffrent recipe in Maharashta, taste is very sweet.