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...
8 comments:
it was great to read your trip down memory lane, sowmya. thanks for participating in JFI.
Hi Bee,
Glad you enjoyed ! :)
Thanks for dropping by.
Soumya
Hey soumi..concidently I had the same combination today evening :-) masala chai and chakka chips ( though from an indian shop here )I like ur blog :D - Shiyama
Soumya,
It was very nice to read the story around the JF, i remember being totally awed by the jackfruits hanging down the trunks of the smallest of trees on the drives to Guruvayoor as a kid...and the smell of the chakka cholais drives me crazy...though the chakkai wafers are generally not as crisp as banana wafers, the aroma is so distinct and addictive
Hey, while reading this, even I was remembering our childhood days, when we used to spend time at our thatha-paati's place. In Kerala, invariably in every house, you will find this ritual, isn't it true ? women would sit around in the afternoon with huge chakkas - and then stealing some of the ripe ones, and waiting for the chakka chips :-)...ummm, your post has made me very nostalgic :-)
Hi Shiyama - That is indeed a coincidence ! Glad to know you like my blog. Thank you.
Hi Nandita - Yes - JF either has lovers or enemies. My sister cannot stand the smell too. :)
Hi Santhi - Isnt it great that food brings back memories and makes us nostalgic. ? Thanks for dropping by . :)
Those do look good...and would be so perfect with tea....!
thanks for dropping by, glad you liked the cereal chivda.
trupti
Hi Trupti - Thank you so much ! Iam yet to try your muthiyas ..:)
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