JACKFRUIT PRESERVE/ CHAKKA VARATTIYATHU

Jack fruit as we all know is  a seasonal fruit. Jack fruit preserve is a traditional recipe of Kerala.It can be used to prepare different recipes.The recipes can be prepared with raw as well as ripened fruit. During jack fruit season only we can prepare today's dish.Jack fruit is named as "Chakka" in Kerala.With this preserve we can prepare Chakka Ada, Chakka Pradhaman,Chakka Halwa,Chakka Jam etc.Since the recipe is sweet we can prepare different varieties of sweet dishes as listed now.Let us see the preparation..

                                                   INGREDIENTS

• Jack fruit cleaned                 -  1200 gms
• Jaggery                                 -  500 gms
• Water                                   -  1.5 cup
• Cumin powder                    -   1/4 tsp
• Cardamom powder             -   1/2 tsp
• Dry ginger powder             -   1/4 tsp
• Ghee                                   -   100 gm

                                                METHOD

•  Clean the Jack fruit and keep it aside.

•  Crush the jaggery and keep it aside.

•  Take a cooker and pour water to it and add the jaggery powder to it.Allow it to boil.

•  When it gets thickened and will have a double string consistency,strain it .

•  In the same cooker add the jack fruit and allow it to cook till 5-6 whistles.When it cools blend it in a mixer and keep it aside.

•  Heat a heavy bottom pan.

•  Add 2 tbsp ghee to it and grease all over the pan.

•  When the pan  gets heated, pour the blended mixture.Stir continuously to make it thick.

•  When is start sticking on the pan add ghee little by little and stir well.

• Add the measured amount of ghee when it absorbs.

•  When the moisture dries and leaves out the sides add the powders mentioned in ingredients to it.

• Remove to a greased plate and smooth the surface top with a bottom greased small bowl.When it cools we can store it in a container and use it as and when required.This recipe will last for a long time and there is no tension of it becoming stale.