DHONDAS ( CUCUMBER CAKE )

DHONDAS is a konkani sweet dish mostly prepared by the residents of costal region. This cucumber cuisine has its own regional names as ' MANDAN ' in Mangalore, ' DHONDAS ' in Karwar, ' TAVSALE ' in Goa and ' ' ' ' TOPAT LA ' in southern most konkan region of Maharashtra, since all don't know these names a universal name as 'CUCUMBER CAKE ' is given to it. This cucumber cake is a relishing cuisine of Sri Lankan's too. 'DHONDAS' is a traditional steamed cake either taken as breakfast or dessert. It is a seasonal dish and is prepared using either jackfruit or cucumber. The cucumber used in preparation of dhondas is the giant/ jumbo one which is a monsoon yield . Traditionally it was prepared and baked on wood fire which had its own aesthetic appearance , aroma and taste, but now-a-days it is prepared on gas flame , oven etc... and that tastes awesome too. 'DHONDAS' is usually prepared the previous day evening and relished upon the next day morning as breakfast My 'Aaie' prepares it this way, so that the next day breakfast time she is at ease and so am I following suit. 'DHONDAS' is a blend of cucumber , semolina , jaggery and many other ingredients and yes , how can we forget to mention the coconut , being costal konkanis we are liberal users of coconut in all forms. This my version of simple and easy to make ' DHONDAS ' or ' CUCUMBER CAKE ' recipe is definitely a delicacy to relish upon . You will enjoy preparing and having this ' DHONDAS ' So, why wait , let's start with the recipe.

By-POOJA SUMANTH HEBLEKAR

10/18/20243 min read

INGREDIENTS :
1) Cucumber - 3 -4 cups deseeded and grated

2) Roasted semolina - 3 cups

3) Roasted peanuts - 1 cup

4) Fresh scrapped coconut - 1 cup

5) Grated jaggery - 1 1/2 cup

6) Cardamom powder - 1 teaspoon
7) Nutmeg powder ( optional ) - 1/2 teaspoon
8) Salt
9) Ghee - 1 teaspoon

METHOD :
1) Add grated cucumber to a big size mixing bowl, add roasted semolina , roasted peanuts, fresh scrapped coconut, grated jaggery, cardamom powder , nutmeg powder and salt to it.

2) Combine all the ingredients well,

3) Put the mixture in a thick bottomed big kadaee and cook the mixture on low flame till the water evaporates. keep on stirring.

4) Take a thick bottomed pan , grease it with ghee and add the cooked cucumber cake mixture to the pan
5) flatten the mixture in the pan so that it takes proper cake shape after cooked

6) Keep a tava / round griddle on the gas flame., place the pan which you had set the cucumber cake mixture on the tava. let the flame be low

7) Keep a lid on the pan and let the dhondas bake for about 15 -20 minutes

8) Pierce a knife or a fork in the cake, if it comes out clean then the 'DHONDAS' is baked .
9) Off the flame and keep it to rest . The next day morning just turn it upside down on a plate , cut it in desired shape and relish.

NOTE :
1) You can have this ' DHONDAS ' as breakfast, dessert or as tea time cake.
2) You can add dry cashew nuts, almonds, raisins etc ..along with roasted peanuts or instead of roasted peanuts.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER:
1) KEEPS THE BODY HYDRATED
2) LOW IN CALORIES
3) RICH IN NUTRIENTS
4) COOLING AGENT
5) HELPS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
6) AIDS DIGESTION

TIPS : BEST TIME TO EAT CUCUMBER IS DURING THE DAY TIME BEFORE THE MEALS OR IN- BETWEEN THE MEALS.

FRIENDS DO READ MY FOOD BLOGS, TRY THE RECIPES AND POST YOUR REVIEWS.

THANK YOU
HAPPY COOKING!!!!!

Looking forward to see you again!

Share with friends & family for easy & authentic recipes!!

Get in touch!

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. You can use the form on our website or MESSAGE us directly. We appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you.