The ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi are marked by festivities, dance, celebration, worshiping and the most important of all- food! But not just any food, a soft desert that has captured the heart of Lord Ganesh and his devotees alike, the modak.
Whatever name you call it modak, modakam or kolukattai, the familiar and enchanting taste of this desert remains the same. Made with a soft shell of flour and filled with coconut and jaggery, this desert has become synonymous with Ganapati Pooja. But as this is the year of trying out new things and experimenting, we have compiled a list for you with the best and most unique flavors of modaks in Pune, and where to find them.
Dadu's is a pan-Indian sweet shop which is known for its traditional tastes with innovative ideas. In Pune, they have created the modak of your dreams, motichoor modak. During the festival season it can become quite hard to choose between two of the best Indian sweets, motichoor laddoo and modak. But now you don't have to choose anymore. Go to your nearest Dadu's Sweet Emporio, located in Baner, Wakad, Kothrud and Camp; and grab this fan-favorite modak before it sells out.
Continuing the innovation of combining modak with other classic and iconic sweets, Murthy's takes it a level further with their three uniqye modak flavors. Mysore Pak, cake and even gulab jamun modak. You can find these varieties in Murthy's situated in Somwar Peth, where they also offer a box of different kinds of modaks at Rs. 120 only.
Imagine the decadent taste of aromatic dark chocolate enveloped inside a soft and mouth melting modak. Bringing this enticing imagination to life Tanu's Kitchen specializing in chocolate modaks offers both dark and white chocolate flavors. Run by Tanu Deshpande as a home catering facility from Rahul Park, Warje; you can have a box of her special modak at Rs. 250.
The ten days of Ganesh Pooja a lot of times becomes overwhelmingly sweet. As a result oftentimes we end up not having anything but then crave the modaks months later. Poona Guest House has a solution for this craving. This 83 year old guest house has introduced frozen modaks with a shelf life of 3 months. Just two minutes in the micro-wave and they taste as good as freshly made.
It is impossible to talk about modaks and not mention Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, the most iconic and one of the oldest sweet shops of Pune. Though this place is known for preserving the traditional flavors of Indian confectionary, they have also been experimenting with new flavours of modaks. The mango and strawberry flavors of modak are especially a customer favorite. Along with that they also offer a fried chocolate modak which sells out like hot commodity.
Modaks are not merely a dessert. On the contrary they are a part of Maharashtra's food and festival culture. So in this season of festivities do not forget to partake in this culture and grab a box of these modaks with the most unique flavours.