Chakka Varatti Pradhaman(Jack Fruit Payasam)

JACK FRUIT PAYASAM

Payasam is a popular sweet prepared in Kerala during  festivals like Vishu,Onam and Wedding occasions.Jack fruit/Chakka Pradhaman is a traditional payasam or pudding of Kerala made with jack fruit.Usually this is prepared using chakka varatti(jack fruit jam).This is a special post for Vishu festival.
 
Ingredients:

1. Jack fruit/chakka varatti-1cup
2. Split moong dal-1/4 cup
3. Coconut milk(thick)-1/2cup
4. Coconut milk(thin)-1cup
5. Jaggery-As per the sweetness of chakka varattiyathu
6. Coconut sliced into small pieces-5tbsp
7. Cashew nuts broken into halves-7-10
8. Raisins-10-15nos
9. Cardamom powder-3-5,crushed 
10. Dry Ginger powder/Chukku -1/2tsp

Method:
Dry roast split moong dal to slightly golden colour and cook the dal with enough water.In a saucepan, boil 1/4 cup of water  and melt jaggery.Cool and strain so as to remove the impurities.Keep aside.

Heat a thick bottomed vessel and add the chakka varatti to it along with thin coconut milk.Keep stirring so that the varatti mixes with the coconut milk and becomes a liquid.
Add strained jaggery syrup and the cooked dal to this mixture and simmer the mixture until it turns thicker stirring continuously.Make sure that not to burn the bottom.

Once cooked mix dry ginger powder along with little coconut milk and add to the above mixture.Now add the thick coconut milk to it.Do not boil.Stir in the crushed cardamom. 

Heat a pan and add ghee and fry the cashews and raisins till golden.Fry  the coconut pieces  and add this to the payasam.

JACK FRUIT PAYASAM

Jack Fruit Payasam can be served hot or chilled....
The pradhaman tastes great when chilled.

Happy Cooking!!!