Sweet Potato Stuffed Puran Poli -- A taste of Tradition

Puran Poli is a very traditional widespread Indian sweet made during festive season, which is probably year-round since there is some or the other festival happening every month. Puran Poli is also known as "Poli" in Tamilnadu, "Obbattu" in Karnataka and "Bobbattlu" in Andhra Pradesh. It is like a flat bread with a sweet filling. The usual filling is Jaggery and Split Pigeon Peas(Tuvar Dhal) but Sweet Potato was substituted for Pigeon Peas to give a slight twist to the recipe. I ate ten of this at one sitting and had a bellyache soonafter. "All things in moderation" was the lesson learnt, no matter how tempting or tasty it may be.Now onto the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Maida/All-purpose flour - 1 cup
• Sweet potato - 2, medium
• Jaggery (Unrefined Sugar/Gur) - 3/4 cup (1/2 cup for less sweet)
• Coconut - 2 tbsp, fresh or frozen
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt - a pinch
• Cardamom Powder - 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

• Mix the flour with oil and let it sit for 2-3 hours. Divide into even lemon-sized balls.
• Boil the sweet potato until tender and mash it.
• Mix the coarsely powdered jaggery, cardamom powder, coconut, salt with powdered jaggery.
• If the mixture is runny, add to a pan and allow to thicken.
• Make even lemon-sized balls and set aside.This will be the filling.

• Grease plantain leaves or Plastic sheets with oil and flatten the dough balls.
• Place the sweet potato balls inside the flattened dough and brings the end together like a sack and seal the edges.
• Flatten the sweet potato-filled dough with oiled-hands until its 1/8inch thick.
• Fry it on a oiled skillet until its browned on both sides.
• Serve hot,cold or at room temperature. Tastes divine at any temperature. Keep well for a couple of days.

Makes ~6-7 pieces.

Enjoy!