Keelakarai Ottu Maavu

Keelakarai Ottu maavu / Ootu maavu is a special snack of Keelakarai, a traditional coastal town in Tamilnadu. Keelakarai, a nature bounded small town in Ramanathapuram district has its unique native specials. Two of the most popular among them are thothal halwa and ottu maavu. Ottu maavu is also called as seeni maavu (sugar flour) in keelakarai and in Srilanka. As flour is one of the ingredients of many desserts and snacks, ottu maavu is the only snack in which the flour itself is served as a snack.

Ottu maavu is made with rice flour, sugar, egg, ghee, coconut milk, and salt. First rice flour is roasted in a pan and then beaten egg, sugar, and coconut milk are all mixed with it properly. The mixture is kept in a simmered flame until it changes to light brownish in color.  In some methods, dry fruits like almonds, cashew, raisins, pista are all added in smaller quantities for a rich and grandeur taste.  And it can also be consumed along with a banana or any other ripened fruit as a different combo. Preparing it in an earthen stove would tone it with a rich natural odor and taste.

Ottu maavu is very commonly found in the everyday snack of Keelakarai and rural places around it like Udankudi, Thondi, etc. This glittery flour snack with an absorbing smell is highly recommended for growing children.