Wednesday, September 24, 2008

ABC Wednesday - J for Jalebi!


Jalebi is a fried sweet made from maida (wheat flour), commonly prepared in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Jalebi is thought to have originated in the northern India, most likely in the Punjab region. It is made by deep-frying batter in a pretzel shape, instead of the funnel cake shape common in the U.S., then soaked in syrup.

Jalebis are bright orange or yellow in colour, but are also available in white.

It can be served warm or cold. It has a somewhat chewy texture with a crystallized sugary exterior coating. The sugars get partly fermented which adds flavor to the dish.

Jalebi is one of the most popular sweets in India and is served as the Celebration Sweet of India especially during the national holidays like Independence Day and Republic Day in the government offices, defence and other organisations.

Jalebi is similar to the sweet referred to as "Zangoola", popular in the middle east. The Persian word for Jalebi is "zoolbiah," while it is called "jeri" in Nepal, derived from jangiri, and the Mogul Emperor Jahangir.

For more fascinating 'J' pictures click here

24 comments:

  1. I have a sweet tooth - well just three of them in my upper jaw. Does that tell you something about my liking for things like Jalebi.
    Never tried it, of course. Probably just as well - wouldn't have anything left to hang my denture on.

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  2. Yummy, I love hot jalebis, straight out of the kadai.
    My hubby loves them cold in chilled milk.
    Great choice for 'J'

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  3. i must tell you how much we love indian sweets - some of them are very much like greek sweets, especially the fried flour-sugar-water ones, which we commonly have in hania, too

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  4. cela doit être délicieux (mais pas très bon pour le régime ;o) ). On dirait du miel sur ta photo.
    it must be delicious (but not very good for the regime o)). Looks like honey on your photo.

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  5. I have seen these but did not know what they were... I found your 'J' post most informative and I promise the next chace I get I will try these sweets.

    Mine's Here

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  6. That looks delicious! I am in for something new, for this is absolutely new to me!

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  7. Looks yummy! I thought you posted a photo of a gummy sweet. love to try this someday

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  8. The most original (to me) and most informative I have seen today. Now, if I could only taste it too...

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  9. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Very very appetising!

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  10. That sweet looks horribly fattening to me, and utterly delicious! LOL!

    What gives it the bright colour?

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  11. From your description I'm very curious what it would taste like -- I'm pretty sure I'd like it, as there are very few foods and treats that I don't...

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  12. Very interesting...and tempting, but isn't it too fat ?
    Howewer,Indian cooking is delicious !
    miss Yves

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  13. A very interesting and appropriate choice for "J!"

    Re your comment about Jack London, he grew up in and around Oakland, California. As a writer, he had a place near Sonoma in the wine country. He is famous in the U.S. for his adventure stories, especially "The Call of the Wild."

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  14. Would love to try one, they look like they'd be gone in about 2 bites And forever on the hips...

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  15. Very interesting.
    How do you pronounce Jalebi?

    Bear((( )))

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  16. Now that is a fascinating choice for the letter. Always good to learn something new.

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  17. That sounds delicious and your photo made it look even more so. Thank you for teaching us about this lovely sweet delight.

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  18. I have never seen it.
    It has lovely collour!!

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  19. You've given the right combination for tasty foods: fried & sweet.
    But so very pretty too. Lovely transluscent color.

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  20. Sounds like a tasty treat, and thanks for the interesting information. I invite you to come see my post about the Canadian Snowbirds Team jets. - Margy

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  21. This brought back many memories - I lived in Bangladesh for awhile and yes it is a VERY sweet sweet, take care, Judyx

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  22. fascinating. :) and it looks yummy. :)

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  23. What an exotic looking sweet! Thanks for taking the time to tell us how they are made and a little more about them.

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