Kappa Puzhukkum Meenum(Boiled Tapioca with Fish Curry)

In my childhood I have fond memories of the time, I spent at my mother’s place.Adimali, which is a small agricultural town in the foothills before Munnar.I loved to spend the vacation with my cousins and Grandmother, whom I lovingly called Amma.I remember that, she was always kind and gentle with her grandchildren but she was very strong willed with her children.

People in that area considered puzhukku as one form of staple food. Kappa (Tapioca) or chakka (Jack fruit) is used to make that. In the harvest season all most all the people there used to preserve it in the dried forms and use that in the rainy season.

So Amma also not different , used to cook puzhukku frequently.She cuts a big banana leaf and serve the puzhukku with Fish or Meat Curry.We grandchildren,ten of us ,all girls used to sit around the big leaf and we really enjoyed the meal.My Grandmother used to feel very satisfied and contented.

All of us are now settled in different parts of world and my Amma is no more..She died of cancer on March 2000.I was there in India but unfortunately I couldn't go to see her as I was carrying my elder son and their place is in a high range area.

Years passed by ,Still her picture is clear there in my mind and I will always cherish her love and caring in my heart,I keep a picture of her in my Bible too…

I am going to share the recipe of that Kappa Puzhukku along with my husband’s favourite fish curry.


Kappa Puzhukke

Ingredients

Tapioca 1kg
salt to taste
grated coconut 1 cup
shallots 5 nos
cumin seed 1/2 tsp
green chilies 4 nos
curry leaf 2 sprigs
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

Method

Peel both thin brown and thick pink skin and cut tapioca into small piece(discard fibre in the middle ).Double boil tapioca with more water and salt.Drain it completely and mash nicely .Grind coarsely all other ingredients and mix well into mashed tapioca ,Cook in a slow flame for few more minutes.
Serve hot with fishcurry or Meat curry.

Fish Curry

Ingredients

1 kg King fish
1 medium sized onion chopped
1 garlic finely chopped
1 inch ginger finely chopped
3 green chilies chopped
1 tomato chopped
2 sprigs curry leaves
1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
3 pieces Kokum(kudampuli)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp red chili powder
1 cup coconut milk
2tbsp oil

Method

Heat little oil in a small pan ,add 1 sprig curry leaves and red chilli powder and turmeric powder.Saute for few minutes and keep aside.Soak kokum in little warm water.
Heat oil ,add fenugreek seeds,saute a while.Add onion,ginger,garlic , chili and curry leaves.Stir fry to soften the onion.Add tomatoes and fried powders and saute till oil seperates from masala.Add coconut milk,fish,kokum and salt .Remove from heat when the fish is cooked.