IDICHAKKAKKA THORAN / PORIYAL / TENDER JACKFRUIT DRY CURRY

Jackfruit is a seasonal fruit available from Mid March to May. In the beginning of the season you get the tender jackfruits called iddichakka in Malayalam. idichakka thoran is a traditional Kerala dish.

Idichakka Thoran / idichakka dry curry  is made out of fresh tender jackfruits, mildly spiced and flavored with fresh coconut. Thoran means, any kind of dry curry.

Cutting the jackfruit is a really time consuming and tedious task, Oil your palms and the knife with coconut oil, since sticky gum oozes out of the fruit when you cut it. For the tender Jackfruit, only the thorny thick outer skin needs to be removed and the rest can be cut into pieces just like any other fruit or vegetable.


INGREDIENTS

 Tender Jackfruit / Idichakka                      -  1 small
 Freshly Grated Coconut                                     - ½ cup
 Green Chillies                                                         - 4 nos
 Turmeric Powder                                                 -a pinch
 Salt                                                                              -to Taste

FOR SEASONING

 Coconut oil                            - 1 tblsp
 Mustard Seeds                      - 1 tsp
 Urad Dal                                   -1 tsp
 Red Chillies                            - 2 nos
 Curry leaves                         - 1 sprig

METHOD

Oil your palms and the knife with coconut oil. 

Cut the jackfruit into half and again into further halves.

Remove the thick thorny skin of the jackfruit and cut the white portion into medium sized pieces.

Cook these pieces with turmeric powder and enough water to cover the jackfruit  and pressure cook for about 3 whistles

Drain the excess water and crush the pieces with a ladle or in a mixie few at a time.(make sure the jackfruit pieces don’t become a paste).

Coarsely grind the grated coconut and green chillies without adding any water. Keep aside.

Now, heat a Kadai with coconut oil, add the mustard seeds, once they splutter, add the urad dal, red chillies and curry leaves.

Add the shredded jackfruit pieces and add salt to taste and fry for few minutes in medium flame.

Add the ground coconut and green chillies. Mix well.
Idichakka thoran is ready.

Serve this yummy Idichekka Thoran with steaming hot rice, Moru Kootan or Sambar.

VARIATION

You can also add some onions and garlic too but  I have prepared it without onions and garlic.