Ukadiche Modak: What It Is, How It Is Made and When to Enjoy It
Ukadiche modak is one of Maharashtra's most cherished traditional sweets. A soft rice-flour covering is filled with a coconut and jaggery mixture and gently steamed, which gives it a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture. It is especially associated with festive celebrations, and above all with Ganesh Chaturthi.
What does "ukadiche" mean?
"Ukad" is the hot rice-flour dough used for the outer shell, and "ukadiche" simply means "made with ukad". That is what separates a steamed modak from the fried version, which has a crisp outer layer.
What goes into it
- The covering: rice flour made into a soft dough with hot water.
- The filling: fresh coconut cooked with jaggery until it comes together.
- The cooking method: steaming, which keeps the shell soft and smooth.
How it is traditionally made
- Cook the grated coconut with jaggery until the mixture is soft and moist, then let it cool.
- Bring water to a boil, add the rice flour and cover it for a few minutes. Knead the warm dough until it is smooth and pliable.
- Shape a small portion of dough into a cup, add a spoonful of the filling, then pinch and pleat the edges and close the top to form the modak shape.
- Steam the modaks until the shell turns glossy and firm.
Shaping the pleats by hand takes practice, which is why many families prepare modak together before the festival.
How to serve it
Ukadiche modak is best eaten fresh and warm, and it is traditionally served with a little ghee. It is offered as prasad during Ganesh Chaturthi and is enjoyed at other festive occasions too.
Order ukadiche modak online
If you would like to enjoy it without the effort of shaping each one, you can order our Ukadiche Modak (per piece), a soft rice-flour modak with a coconut and jaggery filling. Explore more traditional sweets in our Sweets & Drinks collection, or browse festive faral in our Festival Hampers.