Jackfruit Payasum

Jackfruit Payasum – also called Chakka Payasum (Malayalam) Chakka Pradhaman or Palapazha Payasum (Tamil) is a terrific combo of jackfruit, jaggery and coconut milk, colourful and rich in flavour.

I come from central Kerala and had never heard of Jackfruit Payasum – Chakka Payasum – until I got married. Back home, I saw my mother making several types of Payasums for every special event – Paripp Pradhaman(Moong Dal Payasum), Ada Pradhaman and Pal Payasum. And the amount of work that went into preparing the Ada was – long!

Every Kerala home has Chakka Varatti (Jackfruit Preserves) in our pantry. I always carry some made my mother whenever I return from my family home. Chakka Payasum is so easy to make and super tasty.

Mix 1 cup of Chakka Varatti with 1/2 cup of jaggery and 1 cup water.

Chakka Varatti already has ghee in it, but add a table spoon of ghee into a thick bottomed pan, add 2 whole cardamoms and fry for a few secs, add the Chakka Varatti mixture and stir well.

When it boils, add 3-4 cups of coconut milk. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add some brown sugar as well. Let it heat up. Then add 1/2 tsp of dry ginger and mix well.

Fry some cashews, raisins and chopped coconut pieces in ghee and garnish!

By Lakshmi Mohan Sumod

Lakshmi is a mum of two, a loving wife and businesswoman. She lives in Africa, using every moment of her spare time to create beautiful pieces of art. The Botswana Cricket Association honoured dignitaries from ICC by presenting them with African paintings done by Lakshmi.  She has also done a collage of ethnic murals for Kerala Samajam for the celebration of their festival, Onam. Check out more of her handiwork here http://lakshmimohan.simplesite.com/