Traditional Winter Treat Tilorya: A Perfect Blend of Health and Heritage

Maharashtra’s traditional cuisine includes many delicacies that have slowly faded with time, yet their taste, nutrition, and emotional value remain deeply rooted in memory. One such forgotten winter treat is Tilorya. Commonly prepared in households during the era of grandparents, especially around Makar Sankranti, tilorya is now rarely seen. It beautifully combines the richness of sesame seeds, the natural sweetness of jaggery, and a crisp texture. In earlier times, warming foods were intentionally made during winter. Sesame, rich in calcium, iron, fibre, and healthy fats, symbolised both wellness and togetherness, giving tilorya a special place among homemade sweets.

Tilorya is prepared using roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, wheat flour, and rice flour, delicately flavoured with cardamom and dry ginger. The roasted sesame is coarsely ground and mixed with flours, jaggery, ghee, and minimal water to form a firm dough. Small portions are shaped traditionally by hand and deep-fried slowly on a low flame until evenly cooked and crisp. Once golden, they are drained and allowed to cool, becoming crunchier over time. Beyond taste, tilorya offers several health benefits, including stronger bones, improved digestion, natural energy during winter, and the goodness of preservative-free homemade ingredients.

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Ingredients Required

• White or black sesame seeds – 1 cup

• Jaggery – ¾ cup (finely chopped or grated)

• Wheat flour – ½ cup

• Rice flour – ¼ cup

For flavour and aroma

• Cardamom powder – ½ tsp

• Dry ginger powder – ¼ tsp

• Salt – a pinch

Other

• Ghee – 1 tbsp

• Water – as needed

• Oil – for deep frying

Health Benefits of Tilorya

• Strengthens bones due to high calcium content

• Provides warmth and energy in winter

• Aids digestion with ginger and cardamom

• Completely natural and homemade, without preservatives