Til Pitha

Pithas are pancakes made from the dough of the rice powder with a sweet or savoury filling. Pithas have been in existence for more than a thousand years in the Eastern Indian subcontinent, and have been a popular scrumptious snack associated with various cultures and festivals of the region. The Til Pitha (rice flour pancakes with a filling of jaggery and black nigella seed powder mix) in particular, is associated with Magh Bihu, dedicated to Lord Surya. Magh Bihu is a festival (of the east Indian state of Assam), which celebrates the end of the harvesting season, and is also a declaration of the end of winters.

Til Pitha is specially prepared using Bora Saul (a sticky and glutinous variety of rice that is locally grown in Assam), or can be replaced with any local sticky variety of rice. The glutinous grain is used for its binding quality. The rice is soaked and spread to dry, and when slightly dry, is ground to form a powdery paste. The filling is a semi solid mix of jaggery and crushed black Til or Nigella seed, making the filling sweet. This rice powder then is spread in a circular form on a hot tawa or skillet and the filling is laid in the middle.

Once the spread rice has firmed up a bit, that happens in seconds, it is turned on both sides to form a roll with the filling inside. The pancake-like white sheets engulf the fudge-like filling inside, and are then taken out of the skillet ready to be served. What you get is a crisp, chewy outer shell with a gooey sweet flavoured filling inside. Nigella seeds have been traditionally used for its many curative properties as well as its subtle nutty flavour that is manifested from the final dish.

The Bihu festival is widely celebrated by the Assamese and traditionally the Pithas are an integral part of the Jolpaan (morning snack) where the fares on offer are steamed sweet potatoes and various types of Pithas, especially the Til Pitha, which is either steamed, pan fried or griddled.

This is eaten by all the members of the household and also offered to visiting guests as a welcome snack.