Instant Mangalorean Jackfruit/ Ponsachey Patholi

Hubby has had this super craving for Jackfruit patholis for a long time now. Since jackfruit is a rarity here, we have not been able to make it so far. This week, lady luck was on his side, and he found a can of ripe jackfruit in the aisles of our local Asian store. Coincidentally our turmeric plant of 2 years had a few medium sized leaves ready for use, so we decided to make a few Ponsachey or Jackfriut patholis in these leaves. Today was a perfect day to make it, being a bank holiday Monday, weather being crappy and wet, Baby A on a mini snooze, we had the oppurtune time on our hands to conjure up these patholis. Believe you me, with this recipe they were ready to eat in record time, that is 35-40 mins from start to finish :))) don’t believe me……read on.

This is my cheat recipe for an amazingly quick and delicious Jackfruit/ Ponsachey patholi. It uses ground rice powder, canned ripe jackfruit, jaggery, grated or dessicated coconut and ready spices. For all Mangalorean food lovers living in areas where jackfruit is rarity (and can be found in cans….bonus as you don’t have to spend hours doing the cleaning), turmeric, teak or banana leaves are hard to come by (use foil or baking paper), or if you like me just couldn’t be bothered with  the cumbersome soaking the rice for hours and grinding business, or the greasing of palms and cleaning jackfruit malarchy….this express recipe is MADE just for YOU!!!!!  

Ok I admit, patholis made traditionally from rice that is soaked and ground tastes better, for now I could care less, “Im sorry but ‘Traditional‘ is temporarily on a break and ‘Express‘ is here instead, Ive got ‘little TROUBLE‘ brewing around the corner :)”

For my version of the Instant/ Express Jackfruit or Ponsachey Patholi with Caramelised Cashewnuts
Ingredients:
Rice flour ground: 1 cup
Jackfruit : 4-5 whole pods
Jaggery: 3-4 tbsps or to taste
Salt : pinch
Pepper: 1/2 tsp
Cardomom: 1/4 tsp
Coconut grated :small handful.
Ready Caramelised Cashewnuts:10-12 nos (optional)

Method: 
1. In a blender take the ground rice flour powder, add the chopped jackfruit pieces, jaggery  powdered, salt, pepper, cardomom powder, 2-3 tbsp of liquer from jackfruit can and blend the mixture to a thick smooth paste. Taste a tiny bit of the batter for sweetness and flavouring and adjust accordingly. The consistency of the batter should be thick and should drop off the spoon. Adjust the consistency by adding more liquid if too thick.

2. Place a spoonful of batter onto the prepared leaf. I used turmeric leaves. You could use teak, banana or even foil or butter paper if nothing is available. Place a couple of caramelised cashewnuts at the centre of the patholi (optional)

3. Close the leaf and place on a perforated plate and cook in steamer for around 20 mins or till done. This quantity will make around 5-6  medium sized patholis. I made 3 patholis in leaves and remaining batter I steamed in foil.

Enjoy on a rainy day with a cup of filtered coffee.

Cheerio,

Carol Sequeira Pereira.