Thikkat Shankarpali | Spicy Shankarpaali | तिखट जीरा शंकरपाली

 Shankarpali , Shakkarpare is a very special snack made during Diwali in most households in India . Known by many names according to region, this is a must have in Maharashtra and Gujarat .  There is  sweet  and  savory version of this yummy and crunchy snack.

Traditionally shankarpali is made using maida / APF ,but these days whole wheat flour is also used owing to health reasons . I for one have grown up eating the spicy Shankarpali made using maida and atleast during Diwali I make this  unfailingly using maida . 

My paati a.k.a grand mom would always keep this stocked round the year and she would say no one can fail with this recipe.  She was an expert in making all types of sweets and savories.

To prepare Thikkat / Spicy Shankarpaali is actually a breeze and the measurements are totally eye ball / random . Unlike other sweets or savories we need not worry about any particular consistency, perfect roasting etc.  

Just 5 basic ingredients viz ; maida ,salt, red chilli powder,  turmeric powder ,cumin seeds and oil to fry from our usual kitchen pantry and we are ready to make this crunchy munchy shankarpaali . This is also known as Thukkadi or Khaara Diamond cuts in the south .

The sweet shakkarpare is very tasty and flaky with subtle sweetness making it delectable and gentle on our palate . I am yet to make the sweet version and you can watch out this space for the recipe when I upload it soon.

Some special and Traditional Diwali Savories for you to impress and surprise your family 

South Indian Mixture 

Cornflakes Chiwda 

Poha Chiwda 

Sabudana Chiwda 

Thikha Ghatiya 

Omapudi / Sev 

Ribbon Pakoda 

Khara Boondi

Preparation Time - 15 mins
Frying Time - 8 mins per batch 

Serves - 3 to 4 

Complexity - Simple 

Ingredients 

1.5  cups maida / APF 

2 tsp red chilli powder 

1 tsp turmeric powder 

1 tsp cumin seeds /jeera 

Salt as needed 

2 tbsp hot oil 

Oil to deep fry 

Method 

• In a wide mixing bowl ,add the maida ,red chilli,turmeric, salt and jeera and roughly mix with your fingers .
• Pour 2 tbsp of hot oil over this dry ingredients and rub it well with both your hands to form a crumbly mixture . This is very important to get crunchy and crisp shankarpaali.
• Add water little by little and knead to a smooth but tight dough.
• Keep the dough covered to rest for 5 to 10 mins .
• Pinch out a big lemon sized dough ,dust your working platform with little maida and roll out the dough into a medium thick roti .
• Take a knife or pizza cutter and mark cuts to form diamonds or small squares .
• Take these cut pieces and keep them on a plate while you heat the oil. 
• Once the oil is heated properly reduce to medium and drop these pieces into hot oil carefully and fry them with occasional flipping until it turns crisp and golden brown. The oil must stop sizzling before you can remove it .
• Drain it carefully and let it rest for a while before you transfer to a container. 
• The shankar pali may look soft initially after frying but it will get crisp in about 20 mins.
• Transfer to an airtight box and keep covered. 

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