Kappa Puzhukku ~ Tapioca cooked in Ground-Coconut Masala

I was talking with amma and I reminded her of the Samosa incident and we laughed a lot over it;-).Ahem..she reminded me back a similar incident which I had convieniently forgotten about.At our place,every year during Onam,we order Paalada from the Ernakulam Karayogam Hall-they served the best of Paalada those days,now of course it is available throughout the year.It was,no doubt one of our favorites and much much awaited item.One year,my brother had gone to collect it and I had just woken up.I brushed my teeth,washed my face and sat in front of the TV to enjoy Onam special programs-since I got to see MY favorite programs only when my bro was not at home.

Amma never served breakfast to us unless we took a bath and said our daily prayer.Yup she is very strict about that and to this day the rule is followed and she bends it only when the dearest of dear son-in-law shows up.So coming back to the story-my bro came back with the paalada and then the fight started as to who will have the first glass,who will drink the maximum and all such silly things.As I was about to drink,amma reminded me that I had not taken bath.More than that,what worried me was that by the time I took bath and came my bro would have finished my share too and I insisted I be allowed to drink.It was a stern NO from her and I remember I did not have my glass of Paalada even after my bath,even after breakfast and not even after my lunch.

During tea-time,amma lovingly came to me with the glass of Paalada and gently reminded me that some things are to be followed without questioning and I should not show my anger to food.I leaned on to her and like a 5-year old and finished my big glass of paalada;-).

All this banter coz of the simple Idli Upma I posted last which brought back so many wonderful memories.Here is the recipe of Kappa Puzhukku,one of our favorite tea-time snacks.


Kappa Puzhukku

Ingredients

Kappa/Tapioca – 2
Haldi/Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Salt to taste

For the ground masala

Grated coconut – 4 tbsp
Green chillies – 2
Jeera/Cumin – 1 tsp
Haldi – ½ tsp
Small Onions/Shallots – 5-6

For the seasoning

Coconut Oil – 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Curry leaves – 1-2 sprigs

Method

Cook the kappa with haldi and salt till mushy-Check out this post for how to clean,peel and cook Kappa.
[You could also use leftover kappa puzhungiyathu for this].
Mash it well with the back of a spoon.
Make a coarse paste with the ingredients given for the masala and keep aside.
In a kadai,add coconut oil and splutter mustard seeds.
When they start popping,add curry leaves and the mashed kappa.
Stir to mix and add the ground paste.
Check for salt and add more if necessary.
Pour a tbsp of coconut oil over the puzhukku and close with a lid.
Open after a minute or so and mix well.
Serve hot!!Some Recipe variations-

You could add a few cloves of Garlic to the ground masala for a different taste.
Or,you could avoid both onion and garlic for a no onion-garlic version.

At some places,this puzhukku is made without the seasoning.Just mix the boiled kappa with the masala and cook till everything gets mixed and pour few drops of coconut oil and add few curry leaves and the puzhukku is done.

Usually,kappa puzhukku is served with a Fish curry,or to be precise-Meen thala curry,a pickle type curry which goes well this.For this,you have to make the puzhukku dry,so that it can be mixed with the fish curry.

Another variation-make the puzhukku following the recipe exactly,when it cools down a bit-add a cup of whisked curd to it and mix well.This is called Kappa Aviyal.

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Sanghi has passed me a Sweet award and she was Sweet enough to remind me to collect the Sweet award..got it?Yup,I've been awarded the You're a Sweetheart award.Thank you so much Sanghi!!


I regard all my blogger-friends and my readers Sweet,but since I have to pass on this award,I choose a special person who is very very sweet to me,yup Purnima..Sweety sweetheart!!Thank you akka;-)

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