July 21, 2022

Chakkavaratti | Chakkavaratiyadhu - Jackfruit Preserve


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 Jackfruits are still available in plenty in most places in India and will surely be available for a few weeks more . If you are done with your quota of eating fresh , ripe and juicy jackfruits then I suggest you must make this delicious jackfruit jam /preserve a delicacy from Kerala known as Chakka Varatti or Chakka Varatiyadhu. 

Chakkai in Malayalam means Jackfruit and Varatiyadhu means reduction /simmering process .So basically we make a tasty relish or jam like preserve from jackfruit pulp and jaggery to relish all year long when fresh jackfruits aren't available. 

You can also use fresh ripe jackfruit to make delicious Chakka Pradhaman (Jackfruit Payasam) and Chakka Unniappams . (Fritters) 

I learnt this recipe from Chandra Muthukrishnan aunty, who is an expert in making traditional and complex dishes in a breeze .She guided me  over whatasapp while I was making this and gave a final approval when I shared the video of the finished product . 

Traditionally in olden times, making chakka varatti was a long drawn process and the ladies of the house had to toil a lot to prepare since modern day gadgets like gas stoves, food processors or pressure cookers were not available. 

The jackfruit pods had to be boiled over wooden or charcoal stoves and then using grinding stone the pulp had to me made and then further cooked in huge bronze vessel called Uruli with jaggery and  ghee for hours together to get the perfect taste and texture . Now making chakka varatti is a lot easier and we can prepare it effortlessly at the comfort of our homes .


Preparation Time -20 mins
Cooking Time - 35 to 45 mins
Complexity - complex 

Ingredients 

14 to 16 ripe jackfruit pods 
jaggery powder  (same measure as jackfruit pulp) 
2tsp of cardamom powder 
ghee as needed 

Method 


  • Deseed the jackfruit pods and pressure cook it with 1/4 cup water for 2 whistles on medium flame .
  • Let the pressure release naturally, strain the excess water and let the jackfruit cool down .
  • Blend the cooked jackfruit into a smooth pulpy puree in your blender.
  • Measure the pureed jackfruit and take the same quantity of  jaggery powder ..eg if you get 1 cup of puree, using the same cup measure 1 cup of powdered jaggery and 1/2 cup ghee .


  • Melt the jaggery in 1/4 cup water and strain it for impurities. 
  • In a heavy bottomed pan ,heat the strained jaggery syrup and let it come to a nice bubbling boil .
  • At this stage add the jackfruit pulp and mix it nicely till the jaggery and pulp blend in well.
  • Keep stirring on low flame and you can see the mixture begins to cook and starts giving out a good aroma . 
  • The key is in stirring without a break as there is a chance of the mixture getting burnt easily . 
  • The mixture begins to thicken and reduces in quantity after 10 mins,at this stage add some 3 to 4 tbsp of ghee and mix well . The entire ghee gets absorbed by the mixture and you can see a nice glossy look.
  • After some time you can see that the entire jam looks glossy and begins to leave the sides of the pan easily and resembles the texture of a jam .
  • Now add the balance ghee ,cardamom powder and continue to cook for sometime. When you drop a blob of the chakka varatti using the ladle, it should slide off and fall down easily . This is the correct texture .turn off the stove at this stage and let it cool . The  jam will slightly thicken more after cooling. Donot worry about that. Once cooled, transfer the chakka varatti to a dry container using a dry spoon and refrigerate it. (Check the video below for the consistency)



Note

To have a prolonged shelf life ,never thaw the entire preserve for a long time.  Take out the desired quantity and put it back into the refrigerator.  This way the chakka varatti stays for almost 1 year .



5 comments:

  1. This one is a very traditional and unique recipe .. we never had jackfruit jam as in North India raw jack fruits and savoury jackfruit dishes are more common..

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  2. An interesting and unique traditional recipe for me. Wish I had access to jackfruit to try out this Chakka Varatti.

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  3. This is a nice jackfruit jam. Our elders are skillful in such traditional delicacies. It is such a solace to have their expertise while preparing such recipes. Is there any particular quality of jaggery required here?

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  4. we are fans of jackfruit as a whole fruit, but the chakkavaratti seems pretty simple and straight forward yet delish recipe.. will try if I get any more good quality jackfruit in the market now - Kalyani

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  5. I have only assisted Amma to make chakka varatti. The whole house fills with aroma. I lov having this recipe from you and hopefully will find jackfruit to make it.

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