Indian Gooseberry Candy/Amla Candy/Nellikai Candy

Amla (Indian Goose Berry) is a very healthy fruit with high nutrition values. It is a very rich source of vitamin A &C, Potassium, Magnesium etc. It can be consumed in any form – a cooked dish, dried fruit, pickle or as it is. Its value will not diminish in any form. Since gooseberry is available in abundance in the winter, you can make candy out of it and store it through the year. It’s a great healthy snack for kids and adults.

Ingredients 

Goose Berry (Amla) – 2 Kgs

Sugar – 1300 gms

Powdered Sugar – 5-6 tbsp

Water – 1 ½ liters (Adjust quantity so that Amla is completely immersed in the water)

Preparation:

Wash the Amla.

Boil water in a large vessel. Immerse Amla in the boiled water taking care that the boiling water does not splash out (Use a ladle to drop the Amla into the boiling water, if required).

Cook for ~12 minutes till Amla become soft. Check the softness by pricking the Amla with a fork. It must prick easily. Drain the water immediately and allow to cool.

Separate each petal of the Amla.

Add sugar, cover and keep aside for an hour.

Place the Amla pieces in a vessel. Add Check. The sugar must have started melting. Stir gently.

Leave it in the Sugar syrup for 48 to 50 hours. Stir it every 8 to 10 hours to avoid the sugar settling down at the bottom.

After the 48 to 50 hours of this process, drain out the sugar syrup completely.

Spread the Amla in plates in a single layer and dry it in the sun for 2 days. Check it. It must feel soft while touching, but not sticky. (If it is allowed to over dry, it becomes hard and sticky.).

If the sun is too hot, it may require less than 48 hours. It can be dried under the fan during the second day.

Collect the Amla Pieces in a broad vessel and dust powdered sugar little by little over them and shake well.

All the Amla Pieces should be covered with the sugar powder.

Collect the powdered Amla pieces, leaving out the loose sugar, and store it in an air tight container.

Done! It does not need to be stored in the fridge.

Note: 

Do not throw out the sugar syrup that is filtered from the amla. Instead, store the syrup in the fridge in an airtight container.

To make a healthy drink, just add 50 ml of the syrup to a glass of cold water! It will be a delicious energy booster after a long day.