OUR CHAKKA,THEIR PHANAS

THE JACKFRUIT


hello,friends,

i feel like writing another post -this time on our own chakka.kishen n amma have already told me to make the posts,short.let me try.

the jackfruit or 'phanas/ponos'is credited as the world's largest tree borne fruit.chakka is called phanas in konkani.

idichaka is known as KUVLO[tender jackfruit without seeds].i love idichakka thoran.

in our tharavadu we had a jackfruit tree with was ladened with tender chakkas.

it was later cut,while chandra prabha was constructed.
after marriage,when i went to meppadam,i was so excited to see thamara chakka.it's small and round in shape which we can hold in one hand.we planted the seeds,and many jackfruit trees are grown.but,sadly,none of them bore fruit.

i like varikka chakka.after removing the chakka chula,the sweet madals were given to the cow and oxen.

the cleaning and cutting a chakka is a headache.we must apply coconut oil on our palms and the knife blade so that the latex does not stick while cutting.

a few recipes from this state with chakka are here.

a tender jackfruit is used to prepare a dish called chaako or charkuto.it's craved by everyone in this summer season.

kulvo is boiled in water.the outer prickly portion [char] and the central core[mav] is discarded and the edible portion is cut into fine pieces.chopped onions are then fried in heated oil and are fried in heated oil and a fried ground paste of coconut and masala powder ,pieces of jackfruit and salt are added.the ingredients should be allowed to cook for 7-8 minutes.

tur dal is boiled with chakka pieces.added to this is mirya vatap,which is a paste of coconut,pepper corns,tamarind,red chillies,salt and turmeric.
after cooking,temper it with asafoetida and mustard seeds.



a spicy preparation can be made by cooking boiled peas,tur dal and kulvo pieces with a piece of coconut,tamarind or ottambachi sola[rinds],chilli powder,salt and sambar powder.a tempering of asafoetida and mustard seeds is poured over it.the addition of jaggery is optional.

a well prepared chaako should have an appealing colour and aroma and should be spicy.chaako,as a vegetarian recipe,offersan excellent source of high quality dietary fibre,plant proteins,antiviral substances ,vitamins,calcium and phosphorous.

KUVLO or raw jackfruits of the right size are easily available in the countryside.

back in kerala,i was amazed to see the trees full of jackfruits from kunnamkulam onwards.the soil is the best suitable for jackfruits.we can see the fruits right from top to bottom of the tree.

our place,we have sandy soil in which coconut trees grow very well.



nature is kind enough to pamper us with such delicious fruits.those still long for the marvellous chakka,please plant the seeds in this monsoon.

how can i forget the chakka varattiyathu my mother-i-law sends for us.it remains for one year and for special occasions we make chakka prathaman with it.hours are spent to prepare it.

kumbalappam is also special with arippodi and chakka varatti.it's so tasty.


last time when i was in pune to attend a training,my friends were busy buying the chakka chulas.i was surprised to see the excitement in their eyes.they were really enjoying the delicious fruit.

my all time favourite is idichakka thoran.shankar's ammamma used to have hot kanji with chakkappuzhukku.we used to feel nice watching her having kanji with plavila.my little star enjoys someone really respecting food and enjoying it.

the fried chakka chula are so,yummy.we can just finish it within no time.i prefer it to banana chips.the long thin,chakka chula fry is added to my favourite list.it's the most wanted snacks with the non keralites.


i still remember,our tenant kuttippennu, coming to our compound to collect the leaves of the tree for her goats.she sells the goatmilk for a living.even now when her son has reached the middle east,she still keeps her goats.



it's nice to live in a house surrounded by all kinds of fruit trees.we have to just remember to be ecofriendly and for the next so many generations,our kind gestures will be a blessing..............


it's anu signing off...................

yes,friends,it's rightly said,''oru maram,oru varam''.

tharumo,enikkoru varam?





sasneham,
anu