Karam Gavvalu

Karam gavvalu literally means savory shells in Telugu.

Today's special is 'karam gavvalu', a traditional, delicious snack from Andhra. Gavvalu literally means shells in Telugu and this item is called so because of the shape. There are both savory and sweet versions of it and today's post is about the savory one. 
The particular shape is attained using a special gadget known as gavvala peeta or gavvala chekka. It is a wooden board with ridges that comes in different sizes. In the absence of it, one can use the backside of a long fork or a grater or even a new comb.

Gavvala peeta ~ A wooden board with ridges on it.

Ingredients: (Makes about 90 shells)
2 cups all purpose flour / maida
2 - 3 Tbsp melted ghee / oil
Salt & chili powder to taste
Water to form dough
Oil to fry

Preparation:
Combine the flour, salt, chili powder and ghee in a mixing bowl. Add water to it little by little and form firm dough. Let it rest for about 30 minutes or so.

Shaping the dough into shells:
Pinch out a small marble sized portion from the dough and roll between your palms into a ball. Place the ball on the ridges of the gavvala peeta and press the dough ball with your thumb. Slide it along the ridges (towards the right side for a right handed person) without removing your thumb from the dough. The ball would curve into a shell, half moon shaped one. Keep it aside.
Repeat the steps with the remaining dough and shape into shells. Keep them covered.

Frying:
Heat about 2 cups of oil in a kadai / small wok. When the oil is hot enough to fry, gently drop the dough shells into it. Keep flipping and fry them in batches on low flame, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Cool and store them in airtight container.

Check this video to get a better idea about forming shells.

Check out the Blogging Marathoners doing BM#5 along with me. 
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Seven Days of Regional Specials: Harini, Me , PJ and Vaishali
Seven Days of Colorful Dishes Kid's Special: Kalyani
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