Tapioca/ Kappa Puzhukku

Tapioca / Kappa was once the staple food for a malayalee (native of Kerala). Truth is, it has now become more of an authentic Kerala dish commonly found only in a buffet spread. Though in my childhood we used to get a regular batch of tapioca chips (used to be one of my favorite) and Tapioca/ Kappa Puzhukku which was indeed a potential meal substitute. Combination of which with fish (usually red 'meen' curry / boneless mackerel fish mixed into the dish) was always a hit. For vegetarians there used to be the finger-licking cheriyaulli chamanthi (small onion dip of sorts) :) I have tried to recreate the original Tapioca/ Kappa Puzhukku and had to make do with the fish fry. But honestly we enjoyed this meal a lot! So here is the recipe :D

Tapioca/ Kappa Puzhukku 
Recipe adapted from my amma

Ingredients:
500 g Tapioca/ Kappa
1/2 cup Grated Coconut
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 Green Chilly, slit lengthwise
1 Garlic pod, peeled (optional)
2 Small Onions, peeled and roughly cut
Coconut Oil, as required
3 Dry Red Chillies
Few Mustard seeds
Few Curry leaves

Method:

• Cut the Tapioca/ Kappa into small cubes after peeling and washing it.
• Pressure cook the tapioca with salt until done. Later drain the excess water from the cooked tapioca.
• Grind the grated coconut, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, green chilly, garlic pod (if using) and small onions along with little water to a coarse form.
• Now combine and cook the tapioca pieces along with the coconut mixture for few mins in a pan. Add salt as required and mix well.
• Meanwhile heat little oil in another pan. Splutter mustard seeds ,dry red chillies and the curry leaves and transfer this to the tapioca mixture. Mix well and cook for few more mins.
• If you want this dish to be dry then just cook further to attain the desired consistency or you can add little water and make it more of a gravy consistency.

Notes: The best combination with Tapioca/ Kappa Puzhukku is fish curry or chamanthi. I made fish fry instead and there was no room for any complaints as we thoroughly enjoyed the meal :) Happy stomach... happy people!!!

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