Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery balls

Pujo Parikrama Narkel naru recipe: fresh grated coconut cooked with jaggery and cardamom and rolled into balls, the classic home sweet for Bijoya Dashami and Lakshmi Puja. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Grate the coconut

Step 1 Crack the coconut, prise out the flesh and grate only the white part, avoiding the brown skin, which makes naru look dull. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Melt the jaggery

Step 2 Put the jaggery, sugar if using, and 2 tbsp water in a heavy, wide pan over low heat. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Add the coconut

Step 3 Add the grated coconut and salt and stir well so every shred is coated. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Cook until it comes together

Step 4 Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring and scraping constantly, until the moisture evaporates and the mixture darkens slightly, turns sticky and starts to leave the sides of the pan as one mass. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Test the mixture

Step 5 Take a pinch, cool it for a few seconds and roll it between your fingers. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Flavour and cool slightly

Step 6 Turn off the heat, stir in the cardamom and camphor if using, and transfer to a greased plate. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Roll the naru

Step 7 Grease your palms lightly with ghee. Take about 1 tbsp of mixture at a time and press and roll it firmly between your palms into a smooth ball about 3 cm across. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Set and store

Step 8 Leave the naru on a plate for 30 minutes to firm up, then offer or store them in an airtight container. Narkel naru: coconut and jaggery sweets on a banana leaf. Photo: Priyankasingha1811, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Read the full guide

Narkel naru recipe: fresh grated coconut cooked with jaggery and cardamom and rolled into balls, the classic home sweet for Bijoya Dashami and Lakshmi Puja. Narkel naru → Next story: Gobindobhog payesh: Bengali rice kheer for bhog All photo stories Music: Indian Folk Classical Flute Music (1), MayankSingh33, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.