HALASINAKAYI PALYA(CHAKKEKAI) in Kannada (RAW JACKFRUIT)

This is an aromatic and traditional recipe from the konkan region of Karnataka. Here the raw jackfruit is cooked in coconut spice ground mixture. I am sharing the recipe that I have learnt from my mother, there may be slight variation in the preparation at every home.

Ingredients:

· Raw Jack fruit – 500 gms

· Coconut oil/ Oil – 1 ½ tsp

· Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

· Curry leaves – 1 sprig

· Hing – ¼ tsp

· Freshly grated coconut – ¾ cup

· Bedgi mirchi (any dry chillies) – 4-5 (slightly roasted)

· Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

· Coriander seeds – 2 tsp (slightly roasted)

· Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp (slightly roasted)

· Fenugreek seeds – less than ¼ tsp (slightly roasted)

· Rice – 1 tsp (slightly roasted)

· Garlic cloves – 4-5

· Onion – 1 very small (roughly chopped)

· Kokum Petals – 3-4

· Water

· Salt

Method:

· Peel and discard the outer covering of the raw jackfruit and wash it very nicely. Use a knife that is greased with oil. Apply oil to your hands too.

· Now roughly cut it into small pieces, discard the center part of the jackfruit, its slightly hard, we do not consume it.

· Now add these small pieces in a small pressure cooker with little water and cook it for 2-3 whistles.

· Now for making a ground spice mixture we will take coconut, bedgi mirchi, turmeric powder, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and rice in a mixer jar. Add little water and grind it coarse. Now add the garlic cloves and roughly chopped onion. Grind it again. Remember not to make a fine paste.

· Open the pressure cooker and make smaller pieces of the jackfruit if you find it too big.

· Take a kadai with coconut oil in it, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and hing.

· Now add the cooked jackfruit, give a good mix, add salt and kokum petals.

· You may now pour the ground spice mixture in the kadai. Do not add too much water. Give it a good mix.

· Let it cook for 5-6 minutes, turn off the flame.

· Enjoy this Karnataka style preparation with sambar rice or rasam rice.

*** Slightly roast the ingredients that is mentioned with very very little oil. Rice can be roasted without oil.