Traditional sweetes & savouries

Thenkuzhal murukku, Kambu laddu, and kara mixture from Chinthalavadi. These simple treats and a few lines about the village on the banks of the river Cauvery can turn an ordinary festive gift into a mindful one.

This year, we are seeing more people gifting handmade savouries featuring organic ingredients from farms across the State. Chef and TV host, Rakesh Raghunathan, whose karupatti (palm jaggery) Diwali sweets have been in demand for several years, says he is too busy with his recently-launched TV show, Dakshin Diaries, to take orders this time. But he has a few tips for the resourceful.

“There’s Srivilliputhur palkova from the town’s famous Venkateshwara Sweet Stall, Tirunelveli halwa from the city’s Janakiram Hotel, kara sev from Sattur’s Shanmuganadar Mittai Kadai, and Triplicane’s Dum ka Roat at Basha Halwawala,” he shares.

Think local

Every festive season, Ahalya S, founder of sari brand, Kanakavalli, has Tapestry, the event planning service at her Kingsley address, put together a hamper of traditional sweets sourced from the actual towns where they originated.

This Tamil New Year, has handmade kara mixture from Chinthalavadi, and Inippu Seedai (sweet seedai) made with jaggery from Karukathy, near Vellakoil in Tamil Nadu. “In cities, things tend to get curated for a modern palate, which is why I look at promoting handmade, authentic delicacies,” says Ahalya, who sends these boxes out to clients. In the past, she's had Kallakurichi chinna vengayam murukku, Nellai Nei Karupatti Mysore Pak and thaen mittai from Erode for her Diwali hampers. Details: Tapestry Expressions is at Kingsley, Spurtank Road. 07550022300

Go nuts

Palm jaggery, peanuts, sesame, cardamon and dry ginger from farms across Tamil Nadu go into the delectable peanut candy and sesame, multigrain balls at Madurai-based MotherWay.Set up by B Stalin in 2015, the brand processes its ingredients in clay ovens and all the sweets are handmade. This season, opt for the Celebration Sweet Pack (₹700) comprising 50 palm jaggery and groundnut sweet bars, or the Combo Gift Pack (₹400) that includes the bars and sesame balls.

Terra Earthfood, Abhiramapuram 4th st, Alwarpet phone 4208 8800

Terra is a treatfor conscious food lovers.founder meera maran has your back when you’re looking for organic sweets, snacks or gliten-free breads. Though tere is an endless assortment of millet sweets, my favourites are the granola bars and cookies, and the laddoos that come in flavoursb like karupatti, ellu,kuthiravali, and fig and honey, among other. Since everything is home grown, they never fail to impress.

Sorrel Gardens, Muttukadu, ECR phone 99525 03181
Having a miniature garden at home is like having a little pocket dog. You have to do the watering, and the talking  (minus the walking), and these little beauties grow in on time. Hailing from the same family as the bonsai, the Arelia and syngonium plants add the perfect green touch to small spaces, and are your little go-to pixies after arough day. These are also self-sustaining gardens that require zero maintenance.