Chakka Payasam

Name: Chakka Payasam
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 44 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian (Kerala)
Ingredients: 275g ripe sweet jackfruit bulbs (chakka), seeds removed, finely chopped (about 1 heaped cup); 180ml water (for cooking jackfruit); 150g (1 cup) dark jaggery, powdered; 120ml water (for jaggery syrup); 250ml thin coconut milk (second extract); 250ml thick coconut milk (first extract); ¼ tsp dry ginger powder (chukku); ¼ tsp cumin powder; ½ tsp cardamom powder; 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil; 10–12 raw cashews; 10–12 raisins; 2 tbsp fresh coconut, finely chopped (optional)

🟢 Veg🌾 Gluten-free📊 Medium

Traditional 46. Chakka Payasam recipe

⏱️20 minPrep

🔥24 minCook

🕒44 minTotal

🍽️4Serves

🧺 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 How to make Chakka Payasam

Make jaggery syrup (5 mins, medium heat): Dissolve jaggery in 120ml water over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then strain through a fine sieve to remove grit. Set aside.
Combine jackfruit and jaggery (5 mins, low heat): Pour strained jaggery syrup into the mashed jackfruit. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer on low heat. Cook 3–4 minutes until the mixture darkens slightly.
Add thin coconut milk (8 mins, low heat): Pour in thin coconut milk. Stir continuously on low heat, simmering until the payasam thickens to a pourable custard consistency — about 8 minutes. Do not rush with high heat, as coconut milk will split.
Finish with thick coconut milk (2 mins, very low heat): Reduce heat to minimum. Pour in thick coconut milk and stir gently. Cook 2 minutes without letting it boil. Remove from heat. Stir in ginger powder, cumin, and cardamom.
Garnish (4 mins, medium heat): Heat ghee in a small pan. Fry cashews until light gold, then add raisins until plump, and fresh coconut bits until golden. Pour over the payasam.

📖 Cultural notes

Chakka Payasam captures Kerala's ancient bond with the jackfruit tree — called "the poor man's fruit tree" — and is traditionally made during the jackfruit season (April–June) as an expression of gratitude for the harvest, often shared between neighbours. ---

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