Ellu Bella, Karnataka's original trail mix, has interesting traditional connections

Ellu Bella is a mix of roasted white sesame seeds, finely chopped dry coconut, gram dal, finely chopped jaggery and roasted and deskinned split groundnuts. It is typically served with something sweet like sugar candy or fruit jellies. (Photos by Bindu Gopal Rao)

The festival of Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 / 15 each year and it is unique as it always falls on the same date. The transition into the Zodiac of Capricorn is the day of Makar Sankranti and this is also why it usually always falls on the same date unlike many other Indian festivals. This festival also officially marks the beginning of summer and the end of winter and hence the food made also reflects this seasonal change. This is also when the Uttarayan season begins, as the northward movement of the sun starts.

As the first festival of the year, I have always had fond memories of Sankranti and one of the biggest reasons was Ellu Bella. I have a rather vivid recollection of how my mother would make the mix with a combination of sesame seeds, groundnuts, jaggery, dry coconut and gram dal that magically became this tasty, munchy treat that I could never have enough of. And to be honest, it is an indulgence that I allow myself even to date.

All ingredients must eventually be the same size.

What makes Ellu Bella so interesting is that the Kannadigas (people of Karnataka) associate this with the festival and believe that one must eat this mix and speak good things. My mother always told me “Ellu bella thindu, olle matthu aadu” which translates to saying good things after eating ellu bella. A tradition that underlines the fact that one must have a positive outlook in life and learn to forgive. Interestingly, sesame is associated with Shani (Saturn) and people believe when they distribute this mix, they will be able to ward off his gaze, and as sesame is usually not given as such, the mix works well.

Another interesting aspect of the Ellu Bella is called ‘Ellu Beerodhu’ (meaning distributing the mix) where the mix is distributed among neighbours, family, and friends. In fact, it is customary that if someone comes home with their Ellu Bella, you must give them yours. Interestingly, the mix is always accompanied with a sugar candy, a fruit (banana or orange), berries (Indian Jujube), a piece of sugarcane and more. The trail mix is usually put in a box (plastic boxes have once again given way to steel ones over the years) and distributed among friends and neighbours.

Ellu Bella is a mix of roasted white sesame seeds, finely chopped dry coconut, gram dal, finely chopped jaggery and roasted and deskinned split groundnuts. While some traditional homes still see women of the older generation cutting the jaggery and coconut, today, the cut versions are available in stores which makes it easy to continue the tradition. If you feel lazy, stores also sell the mixed version, so you do not need to worry about mixing them in the right proportion.

And while the trail mix seems like it is easy, it is really the preparation that is the key. The groundnuts, for instance, must be deskinned, split, and roasted. The dry coconut must be chopped fine (only the white portion), and the skin must be peeled before it is chopped. The jaggery must be cut into fine pieces and sun dried if it is soft. The idea is also the finesse of ensuring that all the ingredients are finally the same size. Roasting the white sesame is a must too, but make sure it is not burnt so ensure you do it on a low flame and stir continually.

The mix is also considered healthy in this season as sesame seeds are known to be a good antioxidant and rich in iron. The sesame is known to increase the heat in the body to help people get ready for the transition from winter to summer. The dry coconut is packed with nutrients and dietary fibre, gram dal is a source of protein, and jaggery is a natural, healthy, sweetener that has magnesium, phosphorus, fat, and protein. The mix is also known to help with dry and chapped skin, something that is a common issue during the winter season. Little wonder then that most households make generous portions and store it much after the festival. It is addictive and fortunately one that packs a punch of both flavour and health.

If you want to make this for yourself, here is a simple recipe. The quantities can be proportionately increased, depending on how much you want to make.

1 cup deskinned, split peanuts

½ cup gram dal

¼ cup sesame seeds

¼ cup cut dry coconut

½ cup cut jaggery

Dry roast the peanuts on a low flame, remove the skin, split, and keep it aside to cool.

Dry roast the gram dal and keep it aside to cool.

On a low flame, dry roast the sesame seeds and keep aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, add the roasted peanuts, roasted gram dal, sesame seeds, cut dried coconut, cut jaggery and mix well.