BATATE BIKKANDA HUMMAN

BATATE BIKKANDA HUMMAN

Jackfruit is called Ponasu in my mother tongue, Konkani. It is called Halasinu Hannu in Kannada, Phanas in Hindi & Marathi and Chakka in Malayalam. 

We in the Konkani GSB community love jackfruits! Once we get our hands on them, we use them to the full! Let me explain what I mean. We use raw jackfruit  which we call Kadgi ( Kathal in Hindi, and Halasinakkai in Kannada) to make a side dish called Kadgi Chakko. 

The ripe jackfruits are used to make several dishes including dosas, which we call Ponsa Polo, and Appe which we call Ponsa Appo. The seeds of the jackfruit are removed and kept aside. They are washed and dried, for future use. We then cook and use them to make several different dishes. 

 

Today's recipe is for a side dish -made with jackfruit seeds (Bikkand) along with potatoes (Batata) - called Batate Bikkanda Humman. This is a popular dish in most Konkani homes. 

Since it does not call for the use of onion or garlic, this Humman is often made on the days when we wish to avoid using these ingredients. 

Here's how I make this! I always associate this dish with the aroma of asafoetida and the coconut oil added to enhance its taste. 

Ingredients:-

• Batato (Potatoes), medium-sized, 3
• Bikkand ( Jackfruit Seeds ) 1 cup or about 20 
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 1 cup
• Roasted Byadgi Red Chillies, 6
• Tamarind, size of small marble
• Raw Rice, 1 tsp ( optional) 
• Asafoetida/Hing, 1/4 tsp 
• Salt, to taste
• Coconut Oil, 1 and 1/2 tbsp

Method:- 

Wash and peel the potatoes, and cut them into bite-sized pieces 

Dissolve 1/4 tsp of asafoetida in 1 tbsp of water. Mix well and keep aside.

Remove the outer white skin of the bikkand

Lightly smash the bikkands with a rolling pin to crack them  

Place the potatoes and the bikkand in a vessel in adequate water in a pressure cooker and pressure cook them for 2 whistles

When the cooker cools, remove the vessel and keep aside

In a mixer jar grind together the coconut gratings, roasted red chillies, tamarind and raw rice to a smooth paste adding the required amount of water 

Add the ground paste and salt to taste to the cooked potatoes and bikkand 

Mix well, adjust the consistency to make it gravy-like by adding water (only if required) and bring to a boil 

Then lower the flame and let it simmer for 5 minutes 

Switch off the gas

Now add the dissolved asafoetida in water and the coconut oil and mix well

Keep it covered for a few minutes to enhance the flavors in the dish

Transfer the Humman to a serving bowl

Serve the Batate Bikkanda Humman as a side dish with the main meal

Tip: the addition of Raw Rice gives the ground masala a better texture

KADGI CHAKKO - SIDE DISH OF RAW JACKFRUIT

KADGI CHAKKO - SIDE DISH OF RAW JACKFRUIT

"Kadgi" is what we call the raw jackfruit in Konkani. By the way, the raw jackfruit is called Kathal in Hindi and Halasinakai in Kannada.

Interestingly, it is said that jackfruit got it's name from " jaca" in Portugese which in turn came from "chakka" in Malayalam, the language spoken in Kerala, India.

"Chakko" is what we in Konkani, call the coconut-based curry made of raw jackfruit

I don't use it myself, but I know that some like to add a dash of jaggery in the making of the dish.

Here's a tip: Grease your fingers with some oil before you begin to cut and peel the raw jackfruit. This reduces the sticky effect of the white milky liquid that flows when the jackfruit is cut.

Ingredients:

• Kadgi (Raw Jackfruit), medium sized, 1 :  or about 500 grams
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 3/4 cup
• Byadgi Red Chillies, 6-8
• Tamarind, pellet size
• Coriander seeds, 2 tsp heaped 
• Urad Dal, (Blackgram dal) 1 tsp 
• Methi (Fenugreek)  Seeds, 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves, 1 sprig
• Oil, 1 to 1 and 1/2 tbsp
• Salt, to taste

Method:

Cut the jackfruit into bite sized pieces and cook in adequate water till its done, taking care not to over cook it and make it too soft.

If using a pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle using adequate water then wait for the cooker to cool and remove the kadgi pieces.

Remove the excess water from the cooked jackfruit pieces and keep aside.
With a rolling pin, press the cooked jackfruit pieces to flatten them without breaking into smaller pieces and set them aside

In a kadhai, heat a little oil and roast the red chillies. Keep aside
Now, roast coriander seeds, urad dal and methi separately till they change colour and give off an aroma
Grind together coconut gratings, roasted red chillies, coriander, urad dal and methi along with tamarind in the blender to a coarse paste
For the seasoning, heat oil in a kadhai on medium heat, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add curry leaves
Add the cooked jackfruit pieces and salt. Sprinkle a little water and stir well. (You can use the water in which the kadgi had been cooked earlier.)
Next add the ground paste, keep the kadhai covered and cook on a low flame, stirring from time to time, till the jackfruit fully absorbs the ground masala
Serve hot as a side dish