Steam Cooked Cassava Kerala Style/Kappa Vevichathu

Cassava is something rampantly found in my place and the main stay in almost all homes. it's cheap and high in carb which makes a regular appearance in the toiling labourer's humble home. my maid in hometown says her dad in law has to have it EVERYDAY for breakfast before setting out into the fields for gruelling work under the blazing sun. this is our traditional recipe and we have it with kachiya moru (cooked buttermilk or khadi) and the fiery red fish curry...hmmm yumm.

cassava-2 kg
grated coconut-1 cup
shallots-10
garlic flakes-4
green chillies-3
bird's eye chilli-6
cumin-1 pinch
turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
salt

Seasoning

mustard seeds-1 tsp
shallots-2-3
curry leaves
dried red chilli-2-3
oil

Peel the cassava and clean them. chop them as in the photograph. except for the cassava grind all the ingredients apart from the seasoning coarsely or smooth; as you like it. back in my home town we grind it on our traditional stone called arakallu. it's said it comes out tastier. don't wing away at the mention of so many chillies. it's not spicy for 2 kg cassava. imagine we include bird's eye chillies too. we love them. and we have this with the hot red fish curry. mouth watering or eyes...hahaha.

In a large thick bottomed pan drop the cassava slices along with adequate water and very little salt. let it cook till the cassava turns tender and is cooked well. drain off the water. put it on flame again. drop the ground coconut mix right in the middle digging a hole in the cassava. the idea is to steam cook the coconut mix in the cassava with the very little water from the grinder. remember to sprinkle salt water as salt proper may get stuck in undesirable places in the cassava. add some curry leaves. let it cook for close to ten mins reaching a consistency where the water is absorbed at the same time the cassava not too dry (look pic).

Splutter the seasoning in oil and garnish the cassava. serve hot. enjoy and get healthy!

For a south east asian sweet cassava delicacy check out my friend Jun's Cassava Cake at indochinekitchen.