Jackfruit Puzhukku

Jackfruit Puzhukku is a traditional Kerala-style dish made with raw jackfruit, coconut, and spices. It is a wholesome, mildly spiced preparation often served as part of a festive meal or alongside rice. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 12–16 raw jackfruit segments
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 teaspoon rice
• 1/2 cup split green gram (moong dal)
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 4 whole red chillies
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Jackfruit:

   • Cut raw jackfruit into 12–16 large segments.
   • De-seed and cut each into 2–3 smaller pieces.
   • Use jackfruit that is not fully ripe for the best taste.

2. Make the Coconut Paste:

   • Soak half the grated coconut with rice.
   • Grind lightly into a coarse paste and set aside.

3. Cook the Dal:

   • Dry roast the split green gram in a kadhai for a few minutes.
   • Cool, wash, and boil it in two cups of water until soft and fully cooked.

4. Add Jackfruit and Spices:

   • Add the jackfruit pieces to the cooked dal and continue cooking.
   • Stir in red chilli powder, broken red chillies, and salt.

5. Finish with Coconut:

   • Mix in the scraped coconut and the prepared coconut-rice paste.
   • Simmer until the mixture thickens and blends well.

6. Add Coconut Oil and Serve:

   • Drizzle with coconut oil, remove from heat, and serve immediately.

Jackfruit Puzhukku is a rustic, flavorful dish that highlights the natural taste of jackfruit with the richness of coconut and the aroma of coconut oil.