Gavvalu - Sweet Shells from Andhra / ಗವ್ವಲು - ಆಂಧ್ರ ಸ್ಪೆಷಲ್

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ.

Gavvalu is a famous snack item from Andhra. Few months back, one of my Andhra friends offered these lovely goodies to us. We were wondering about the shape of these goodies! They look alike small shells and tastes very nice.Then, she told me the recipe of these sweet shells.
But there was a small confusion. She told that she had used the Gavvalu board, a small board with zig zag surface to give that shape to the Gavvalu. Then, I searched in Google for an alternative for the Gavvalu Board. I ended up with two easy alternatives which are - a fork or a big comb! I tried with both, but for giving a nice shape, I felt the comb better than fork. These days, I am maintaining a separate comb in the kitchen exclusively for Gavvalu preparation!
These sweet shells goes well with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Or simply you can eat them anytime (like me??) :) Be cautious a bit while eating Gavvalu..coz you can't stop munching them!!    

Thanks Usha for this lovely recipe :)


Preparation time: 1 1/4 hours
Servings: 5 - 6 (it depends ;) )

Ingredients:
All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
Sooji rava (Semolina) or Chiroti rava - 1/2 cup (see the tips)
Salt - 1/4 spoon
Ghee / clarified butter - 3 spoon
Water to prepare the dough (approx 3/4th cup)
Oil for deep frying
For sugar syrup: sugar - 1 cup, water - 1/2 cup, pinch of cardamom powder
Gavvalu board, a big comb or a fork


Method:
Mix all purpose flour, rava, salt and ghee in a mixing bowl. Add water little by little and prepare a non - sticky dough. Dough should not be too soft, nor too hard.
Cover the dough with a lid or a wet cloth and leave it for 20 minutes. Then, take a lemon size dough and prepare small balls out of it.
Gently press each ball on the comb (or Gavvalu Board) as shown in the picture. Keep the designed surface out and carefully roll the Gavvalu little bit to give the Shell shape.
Heat oil in a heavy pan and deep fry the prepared Gavvalu in batches on medium or low heat for around five minutes.
Once the Gavvalu becomes crispy and golden brown, drain the oil and transfer them onto a tissue paper to absorb the excess oil.
In the meanwhile, combine sugar and water and prepare a thick syrup (may be 2 1/2 thread consistency). Add pinch of cardamom powder and keep it aside.
Transfer the deep fried Gavvalu to a mixing bowl. Pour 3 - 4 spoons of sugar syrup and mix it thoroughly. Adjust the quantity of sugar syrup according to your taste.
Spread the sugar coated shells on a plate for 2 minutes to get dried up. Once they are dried up, they won't be sticky anymore.
Enjoy the sweet shells with a cup of tea / coffee!


Tips:
  • For giving a crispy touch, I have added sooji rava here. I have got very good results with chiroti rava also. If you wish to use chiroti rava, you can add 2 spoons of sooji rava along with chiroti rava. 
  • If the dough has become too soft and you are not able to give a nice shape to the Gavvalu, try adding little more sooji rava to the dough.
  • Keep the dough closed to avoid becoming dry.   

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29 comments:

  1. nice crispy n yumm snack.. hv not tasted it .. worth trying these cute yummies..

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  2. Wow...So yummy!!!! We get these here in my town too ;) So well explained..
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  3. Menudo aperitivo, crujiente, crujiente. Enhorabuena por el blog. He dado con él por casualidad y me parece fantástico. Sobre todo son impresionantes las fotografias.
    Un saludo.
    http://la-lengua-de-la-mariposa.blogspot.com

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  4. Wow!!what a coincidence,I made it 2 days ago,probably my next post would be Gavvalu,addictive snack,perfectly made....

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  5. cute and delicious ones, new to me..

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  6. Vanitha, I have never had Gavvalu. It must be delicious! I liked the idea of using the comb to shape them. It must be the traditional way of making them right? Loved it :)

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  7. Delicious looking Gavvalu,looks so crispy n nice presentation too...

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  8. So cute! looks just like shell pasta... never heard of this sweet before :)

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  9. Lovely swirl shape.. i thought u made the shape with fork.Its really a nice idea to use comb ;)

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  10. Looks so crispy & inviting!! First time on ur blog. Glad to follow you :)

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  11. so cute n its really looks like pasta...new to me,
    thanks for the detailed recipe...bookmarked it!!

    Spicy Treats
    Ongoing Event : Bake Fest # 2
    Do participate in My 300th Post Giveaway

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  12. first time here and a great space . loved this snack and bookmarked :)

    do drop in at my space when time permits

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  13. Wow!! this looks so much like my kulkul recipe below!!
    http://gharkhana.blogspot.com/2011/12/cookies-kulkuls-christmas-sweets.html

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  14. Delicious...
    Thanks a lot for linking with Midweek Fiesta Hope to see you on next week too….

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  15. Looks cute! I have done this long back with a fork! Using comb is a nice idea!

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  16. I was seriously thinking how to prepare gavvalu without the board..omg this is the peaks of wisdom jus love the idea..happy to follow you...

    Visit me too...

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  17. Hi, that looks really yum.my mom used to make it but we used a white coating of sugar on it when it dries. How come urs is gavvalu doesn't,t have such a coating. What's the secret urs looks so good.
    Deepa

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    Replies
    1. Its just the sugar syrup consistency which gave a shiney coating..also, I have made a very thin coating of sugar. May be that's the reason :)

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  18. Why does sometimes these shells blast? I tried once and it came out very well but second time..I see few shells blasting in the oil.......

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  19. Oh, really? I never experienced that..my Mom says that if the shells / dough gets dried before we deep fry them, they will blast sometimes..

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