The word Jackfruit or Chakka as we call it, takes me down the memory lane. My grandparents who lived in a remote village (Kidangoor) in Kerala, had farms that grew coconut , rubber , jackfruit and various other trees. Summer vacation means going to Thatha / Paati's ( Grandpa / Grandma) place. My sister, our cousins and I used to have a great time .. storytelling, playing in waters, going around the farm with Thatha. Oh and we used to have cows ( actually my dad says thatha even had elephants, well I was not so lucky to see them).
Coming back to Chakka, my thatha had someone go up the Jackfruit tree to get all the ripe ones and even the unripe ones for cooking. And then it was the royal chakka time - well more like a ritual I would say. While we kids ran around, all the ladies of the house got to business. Hands moisturised with coconut oil, a huge knife,few old newspapers and a cloth were the tools required to get to the sweet goodness. One would not think of this as something fun. But let me tell you, nobody in the room would have cared any less - it was the mid day gossip time for the women!
For this month JFI, it is Jackfruit , hosted by Jugalbandi. The day I came to know this , I have been thinking about various delicacies that my amma prepares - Chakka Thoran ( A dry curry prepared using the unripe fruit) , Chakka Kuru Thoran (A dry curry made of the seeds from Jackfruit), Chakka Puzhukku ( A side dish made from the unripe fruit), Chakka Mezhukuperatti (a variation of dry curry), Chakka Varrati (Jam) and Chakka Payasam (Sweet Porridge).
Well, for some reason , I was not comfortable buying the canned version in brine or sugar syrup. I know that is closest we can get to Jackfruit being in the US , but I chose to cherish my memories sipping a hot cup of masala chai (Tea) and a plate of Chakka Chips (that I got from India this time). :)
Dedicated to my beloved Thatha (most lovable and adorable person) and my dear Paati. Will always miss you...
