Patole is a traditional Maharashtrian dish,made especially in month of Shravan.Also made as prasad for Nag Panchami. 

नागपंचमी – श्रावणातला पहिला सण नागपंचमी या दिवशीं नागाची पूजा केली जाते‌ या दिवशीं घरात भाजी चिरणे, कोणतेही पदार्थ तळलेले किंवा भाजले जात नाही. कोकणात सासरी गेलेल्या मुलीला भाऊ या दिवशी माहेरी घेऊन येतो . सर्व गावातील मुली एकत्र येऊन हा सण साजरा करतात . झाडावर झोका बांधून त्यावर बसून झोके घेतात. नागोबाची गाणी गातात. झिम्मा.फुगडी,फेर धरतात . या दिवशी बहीण भावासाठी दिर्घ आयुष्यासाठी देवाजवळ मागणे मागते. घरोघरी मोदक, पुरणाचे दिंडे , पातोळ्या असा नैवेद्य दाखवला जातो. नागोबाला लाह्या दूध यांचा नैवेद्य दाखवला जातो.खरतर हा सण निसर्गातील विविध प्रकारचे प्राणी . याबद्दल कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करण्यासाठी साजरा केला जातो .

Its easy to make if you master the trick of making it.

ingredients:

6 FreshTurmeric leaves.washed and destalked

4 tbsp Ghee

For the outter covering:

2 cups Rice flour(flour of washed and dried rice).

2 cups grated Cucumber.

2 tbsp Ghee.

1/4 tsp Elaichi powder.

Salt to taste.

For the Stuffing:

3 cups Grated coconut.

2 cup Grated jaggery.

salt to taste.

2 tsp Elaichi (cardamom) powder.

2 tbsp Ghee.

Method:

For the stuffing:

In a non stick pan,heat ghee,add grated coconut and roast for a minute.

Now add grated jaggery and salt,mix well till jaggery dries up.

Add cardamom powder,mix well.

Keep aside for cooling.

For the Covering:

For this recipe we have to use tavsa,a kind of cucumber available in month of Shravan.

In a thick bottom pan mix together grated cucumber and water,add salt,ghee and cardamom powder.

Mix well and keep for boiling,cook on medium flame till cucumber is cooked.

Add rice flour.

Stir well till a dough consistency is formed.

Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, while the mixture is still hot remove in a big plate, apply little ghee to your hand and knead well to form a soft dough,Keep aside.

You will require fresh turmeric leaves.

If turmeric leaves are not available,you can use banana leaves also,but turmeric leaves gives a nice taste to the dish.

Take a turmeric leaf and place it upside down(greener part facing towards you) do apply ghee to it.

Make a small ball out of the dough and place on the leaf.

Cover with a plastic sheet.

With a rolling pin roll out till the edges of the leaf.

Now,in the centre of the leaf place the stuffing.

Fold the leaf in half,press at the edges to seal.

Make some more out of the remaining leaves,dough and stuffing.

patole can be made by folding the leaf vertically also.

Once 8 to 10 Patoles are made,keep water for boiling in a steamer.

Place some turmeric or banana leaves in the top vessel of steamer and greese with  little melted ghee.

Arrange patole on it.Now place this top vessel on lower vessel which contains boiling water.Cover and steam for 10 mins.

Remove and serve hot,Drizzle some ghee before serving.

Remove the leaf,before eating.

Happy Cooking !!!

Sameera.