Sesame and Honey Balls for the Road
Small dense balls of toasted sesame seeds bound with honey and cane sugar — crunchy, deeply sweet and nutty, the snack that keeps for days in the fold of a robe.
Small dense balls of toasted sesame seeds bound with honey and cane sugar — crunchy, deeply sweet and nutty, the snack that keeps for days in the fold of a robe.
The Path is walked, disciple, from village to village, and the road is long before the bowl fills again. Keep in a fold of your robe these sesame seeds bound with honey: an elephant once offered me its honey in the forest, and sesame nourishes the walker without weighing. One ball, and you hold until the next doorstep. Take little, share the rest: even the journey's provision is offered.
- •Sesame seeds — a good measure (toasted base)
- •Honey — enough to bind (sweet binder)
- •Cane sugar (jaggery) — a melted piece (firm binder)
- •Cardamom — a pinch (fragrance)
Sesame and Honey Balls for the Road
Small dense balls of toasted sesame seeds bound with honey and cane sugar — crunchy, deeply sweet and nutty, the snack that keeps for days in the fold of a robe.
Why this dish? The Buddha spent his life walking from town to town to teach. Honey and sesame, rich and long-lasting, are tied to his legend: at Parileyyaka, retreating in the forest, an elephant and a monkey offered him honey and fruits. Compacted, these seeds become a concentrated provision for long walks between villages.
The Path is walked, disciple, from village to village, and the road is long before the bowl fills again. Keep in a fold of your robe these sesame seeds bound with honey: an elephant once offered me its honey in the forest, and sesame nourishes the walker without weighing. One ball, and you hold until the next doorstep. Take little, share the rest: even the journey's provision is offered.
Ingredients (period version)
- Sesame seeds — a good measure (toasted base)
- Honey — enough to bind (sweet binder)
- Cane sugar (jaggery) — a melted piece (firm binder)
- Cardamom — a pinch (fragrance)
Ingredients
- Sesame seeds — 150 g (base)
- Jaggery (or whole cane sugar) — 100 g (firm binder)
- Honey — 2 tbsp (soft binder)
- Ground cardamom — 1/4 tsp (fragrance)
- Ghee — 1 tsp (prevents sticking)
Method
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden and fragrant; set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the jaggery with the honey and ghee until you get an amber syrup (do not burn).
- Off the heat, add the sesame and cardamom, mix quickly.
- While the mixture is still warm but manageable (dip hands in cold water), form small tight balls.
- Let them harden and cool: they keep for several days.
How it was made : Sesame and honey are among the oldest sweets in India; sesame and jaggery confections (ancestors of til-laddu) accompanied journeys and festivals. Honey is among the five medicines allowed to monks even outside meal times.
The contemporary twist : Rolled in black sesame and presented as 'walking pearls', they make a perfect hiking snack.
Sources : Tradition of Madhu Purnima (offering of honey to the Buddha at Parileyyaka)
Buddha · Charactorium