Paanchkhaajem is a offering made to Ganesh during Chaturthi in Goa. The ingredients and procedure are the same as for making neureos. However, the uniqueness of this dish is serving 5 different shapes of sweets, 5 each as an offering to Lord Ganesha.
- Cuisine Goan
- Course Desserts
- Serves 25
- Method Deep-fry
- Difficulty Hard
- Cook Time 2 hour(s) 20 minute(s)
1. Toast the groundnuts, remove the peels and powder the groundnuts. Powder the cashew nuts as well. The powder should be fine.
2. Dry roast the poppy seeds until they change color to light brown. Place the sesame seeds in a strainer. Wash under running water.
3. Dry roast on a hot pan until they start to splutter. Place all the items in a mixing bowl, along with sugar, cardamom powder, raisins and coconut.
4. Mix everything well and your filling is ready. Take the maida and salt along with water and knead into a firm dough. Set aside for ~15 minutes to rest.
5. To make the different shapes: Neureo: Make small 2 inch dough balls. Roll them out. Place filling on one side, close the other side over the filling. Dip your finger in water and run it around half the side. This will help secure the neuri and prevent it from opening. Fold the neureos as shown below.
6. Round shape: Roll out two equal sized chapatis with ~1.5 inch dough balls. Place the filling in the center of one of the chapatis. Dip your finger in water and run it the outer circumference of the circle. This will help secure the two dough chapatis in place and prevent it from opening. Place the other chapati over the bottom one, press the sides firmly. Fold as shown below.
7. Modak:Roll out a 2 inch dough balls. Place the filling in the center of one of the chapatis. Dip your finger in water and run it the outer circumference of the circle. Fold as shown below to make a modak shape.
8. Chirote shape: Roll out a 2 inch dough balls. Place filling on one side. Dip your finger in water and run it around half the side. Close the other side over the filling. Fold as shown below.
9. Triangle Shape: Roll out 2 big chapatis. Place filling on 4 corners. Dip your finger in water and run it the outer circumference of the circle and in the middle (cross pattern). Place the other chapati over the bottom one, press the sides and middle firmly. Cut into 4 pieces. Fold as shown below.
10. Heat oil and fry the different shapes until golden brown. Remove the fried shapes on a tissue paper to remove access oil. Store in a air tight container.