Indian sweets using gond, edible gum

1. Gaund is an edible gum, extracted from the bark of a tree. Pale, brownish yellow coloured crystals of gaund are easily available in shops. You first need to deep-fry the crystals till they fluff up and then powder them before use in recipes.

Gaund is a heat-giving food that is heartily devoured in Rajasthan during the merciless winter months. One of the most popular ways of consuming this helpful ingredient is in the form of delicious Gaund ke Ladoos. This traditional winter delicacy is often had with a glass of warm milk for breakfast, while some prefer to enjoy it as a dessert after a nice meal!

Gaund Ke Ladoo

2.  Churma is a word that has become synonymous with Rajasthani cuisine. Jaripalla Churma is a richer version of the regular churma, claimed to be influenced heavily by Marwari style of cooking with lavish ingredients like dry fruits, saffron and khoya.

A combination of flours, edible gum deep-fried in ghee gives this churma a very intense mouth-feel and flavour that linger in the mouth after every spoonful. This soul pampering sweet is reserved for special occasions like weddings and festivals like Krishna Janmashtami.

Jaripalla Churma