Koova Verukiyadh (Arrowroot Pudding)
In Kerala, Thiruvathira festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Shiva. It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvathi finally met Lord Shiva after her long penance. It is largely a festival for women; unmarried women observe a partial fast on this day to get good husbands and married women take a fast from the preceding day (Makayiram nakshatra) and on the day of Thiruvathira for the well being of their husband and family. The fast essentially involves abstaining from rice-based food. The typical meal includes cooked broken wheat porridge (kanji) and Thiruvathira puzhukku made of pulses and root vegetables. The dessert is koova verukiyadh, a sweet dish made of arrow root powder, jaggery and coconut. The lady of the house prepares this koova ( Arrowroot powder ) verukiyadh early in the morning. Arrowroot powder or koova podi is the powder obtained from an underground rhizome, which has no gluten and lot of medicinal values.
- Arrowroot powder or koova podi 2 tbsp
- Jaggery melted 2 tbsp or as required
- Kerala banana few pieces ( optional )
- Coconut pieces handful ( optional)
- Cardamom powder a pinch
- Ghee 1 tsp ( optional )
Method:
- Dissolve Arrowroot powder in 1 cup water and keep aside.
- After 10 minutes, the powder will settle at the bottom and you will get clear water on top. Discard this water and any floating impurities if any.
- Pour 1.5-2 cups of water into the Arrowroot powder and add jaggery, banana and coconut pieces.
- Keep it on stove top and keep stirring. It will be like custard.
- Add cardamom powder. When its fully cooked, it will turn transparent and thicken.
- Remove from stove and pour into bowls or on a greased plate and allow it to cool. No need to refrigerate.
- You can eat it hot or cold or cut it into pieces like halwa.
- Its very good and soothing for the tummy. Ideal for toddlers.
Notes:
- You can make a savory version of it by first giving a tadka of mustard seeds, curry leaves and red chillies and then pouring the arrowroot water in to it and cooking in the above manner.
- Use the big Kerala banana (nendra pazham). Its purely optional.
- Jaggery can be substituted by sugar.
