 | |
| Alternative names | Thala bola, Gingelly balls, Gingili balls, Ellu urundai, Ellurundai |
|---|---|
| Course | Snacks |
| Place of origin | Sri Lanka |
| Serving temperature | Cooled |
| Main ingredients | sesame seeds,desiccatedcoconut,jaggery, salt |
| Variations | dates, roasted peanuts |
Thala Guli ('tah-lah 'goo lee) (Sinhala:තල ගුලි) also known asthala bola,gingelly orgingili balls or rolls, are traditional Sri Lankansweetmeats, made with sesame seeds, salt andjaggery (palm sugar).[1][2][3] Thala meanssesame inSinhala and guli or bola refers to whether they are made in the shape of a roll/cylinder or a ball/sphere. In northeast Sri Lanka, they are known asellu urundai orellurundai (Tamil:எள்ளுருண்டை) which inTamil translates as sesame balls.
Thala Guli is typically prepared from four basic components: white sesame seeds, desiccated coconut, jaggery and salt. Common variations to the traditional recipe include using dates (such asMedjool) or peanuts. Where jaggery is unavailable unrefined sugars, such asmuscovado sugar can be used as a replacement.[4]
Separately dry roast the sesame seeds, and desiccated coconut, until they are golden brown. Grind the sesame seeds with salt in a mortar with a pestle, until the crushed seeds are oily. Grate the jaggery into the mixture and grind. Add the roasted coconut and continue to grind. The mixture is then shaped by hand and molded into small balls or rolls. Warmkithul treacle, sesame oil, coconut oil or ground dates are often used as binding agents if the mixture is not pliable enough to form balls or rolls.[5]
They can be arranged on a serving plate however they are traditionally wrapped in pieces of whitecrêpe,waxed orbaking paper with fringes at their ends. The paper is then twisted on either side of the balls or rolls so they look like miniaturebon bons orChristmas crackers. They are served at the end of a meal, or as a snack between meals.[6]
