Age old recipes, which are passed down to generations are in fact great sources to trace the culinary history of a place. Kerala, which takes pride in its unique and varied gastronomic wonders, has to its credit some treasured recipes which were created by mothers. These dishes are packed with protein and other essential nutrients. Here are a few recipes of local dishes which can be made with locally grown fresh ingredients.
• Mathangathol (Pumpkin) chutney
Ingredients
2 tsp coconut oil
4 - 5 dried chilli
1 tbsp urad dal
Small piece asafoetida
1/4 tsp yellow lentils
2 cups pumpkin skin
A small ball of tamarind
Salt as required
Preparation
Heat oil in a pan
Add dried chilli, urad dal, asafoetida and yellow lentils
Fry until it turns golden brown
Grind the mix into fine powder
In the same pan, add pumpkin skin and sauté well
Add the sautéed pumpkin skin, tamarind, and salt as required to the previously powdered mixture
Grind well to the desired consistency of chutney
Add a pinch of jaggery to regulate taste
• Thavidappam (Steamed rice bran)
Ingredients
2 cups rice bran
A ball of jaggery
1/2 coconut (grated)
Preparation
Knead the rice bran flour into dough
Mix jaggery and grated coconut
On a banana leaf or portia tree leaf, spread some rice bran dough
Place some jaggery and coconut mixture in the centre
Fold the leaf
It can be steamed, roasted or fried
• Jackfruit seed peel chips
Ingredients
2 cups jackfruit seed peels
Salt as required
Oil to fry
Preparation
Marinate the outer peel of jackfruit seeds with salt
Heat oil in a pan
Fry it till golden brown
