Blogging Marathon# 32: Letter J
Theme: A-Z Vegetarian Dishes from Andhra Pradesh
Dish: Jonna Pindi Kudumulu (Jowar Modak)
Letter J stands for fruit like Jampandu (Guava) and I can’t seem to think of any vegetable name that starts with ‘J’!!!!!! J stands for Jonna Pindi/ Jonna Rawa (jowar flour/ rawa). Jonna or jowar or sorghum is a healthy grain that is now slowly being used more and more because of its health benefits.
For today’s J dish I decided to make kudumulu or modak with jonna pindi or jowar flour. I saw this recipe on a Telugu cooking show. I was skeptical on how these would taste, because I’ve always used jowar in savory preparations and never in sweet preparations. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty these kudumulu came out to be. They had a very earthy and sweet flavor that was very addictive.
The original recipe did not have the filling, but I wanted to add some crunch and additional sweeteness through the nuts and raisins. You can use coconut filling or any other filling that you normally would for modak or kozhukattai. These are great to offer as neivedyam to god and are also great as light snack.

Ingredients
- ½ cup Jaggery (Bellam)
- ¼ tsp Cardamom Ground
- 2 tsp Ghee
- ¼ cup Cashews Almonds Raisins , & - chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a pan, combine jaggery with 1½cups of water and heat the mixture until jaggery melts. Add ground cardamom and mix well.
- Slowly add jowar flour to the mixture and stir continuously to avoid forming lumps. Cook until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ghee and mix well. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Lightly grease idli mold or other container for steaming and keep ready.
- Divide the jowar mixture into lemon size balls. Take a ball and flatten it on your palm, place 1-2 tsp chopped dry fruits and close it from all sides and form into either a round or conical shaped kudumulu/ modak. Repeat with the remaining dough. If you choose not to add the filling, then simply make kudumulu with the dough.
- Place kudumulu on the grease container and steam for 10 minute as you would for idlis.
- Enjoy them hot or at room temperature.
Notes



Hari Chandana
I too make this modak with dates and sesame stuffing.. chala cute ga vunnay 🙂
Manjula Bharath
wow thats an very innovative and healthy modak 🙂 looks so cute 🙂 fabulous recipe choice dear !!
Veena Theagarajan
healthy snack
Priya Suresh
Wow, Pavani you rock, seriously am loving your Andhra series, every dish is unique and delicious.
Supriya Nair
The kudumulu looks so tempting. Love the simple ingredients that you have used to make the modak.
Srivalli
That’s really some innovation right…so nice that it turned out well..sometimes I hear athamma recollecting at the weird combinations the cookery show comes out with..:)
Kalyani
wow ! thats a first for me too 🙂 Jowar in a sweet rather than savoury dish ! seems healthy n easy too 🙂
Sandhya Karandikar
A different version of the Modak.
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
looks sweet with a nice soft texture. must be delicious
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
looks sweet with a nice soft texture. must be delicious
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
Very innovative! Chala cute ga unnai, Pavani.
PJ
Looks so nice and is really healthy too…
Gayathri's Cook Spot
Very nutritious kolukattai. I love the filling you have used Pavani…
Sreevalli E
lovely sweet.. They look healthy & inviting..
Nivedhanams Sowmya
that is new to me!! bookmarking it… looks so deliciousSowmya
Rajani S
A very healthy modakam 🙂
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Absolutely yummy! love all the treats inside the modak 🙂
veena krishnakumar
I have used Jola only in kuzhipaniyaram and roti…this is a must try!!Yumm
Nisha Sundar
Sweet treats are always welcome! Such an interesting recipe. Would love to try it out.
preeti garg
Amazing recipe..