Taal (toddy palm) and the month of Bhado

In Assam the month of Bhado ( i.e. starts on 18^th august and ends in 17^th September) has been regarded as holy month. In Bengali it is called ‘bhadra’. Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated on this month. Do you know about a particular fruit the tree of which is adored as celestial as almost every part of the tree is useful for mankind.. It is believed that the children who born in the month of bhado has to be fed taal(palm) within the month of bhadro.  I remember during the month of bhadro my mother used to prepare taal pitha and taal kheer. I found it very irritating as its smell was very strong and the process of preparation was so labourous .Still it was cooked as one of my sister and my father’s birthday is in this month.. I do not know the story behind this taal and bhodia (person born in the month of bhado are called as bhodia in assamese).The reason may be very simple as this fruit ripe in this month. Whatever the reason this fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins. Palm fruits are a healthy option for people on diet or suffering from diabetes.

Toddy palm  is native to the Indian sub-continent and south-east Asia. Toddy palm or sugar palm is also called by the name Palmyra palm. When British came to India they called  it Ice-apple as it has a cooling effect on body and refreshing. The palmyra palm is a large tree and the sweet sap of the tree is called Toddy and is used in preparation of palm jaggery. Friends, do you remember ‘taal misri’…In the starting of my article I was talking about taal pitha. Before writing about the recipe most important part is extraction of palm juice.

Extraction of palm fruit pulp

The top portion of the ripe palm fruit must be cut off to reveal the sweet jelly seed sokets. The jelly part of the fruit is covered with a thin yellowish, brown skin. After removal of brown skin wash it thoroughly .In a large bowl soak the fruit in water and squeeze it to obtain yellow, viscious fluid. In earlier times that jelly parts were tied in a piece of cloth and hung it for overnight. Though ripe fruit is sugary sometimes it taste bitter.

 After obtaining the juice it is mixed with rice powder, flour, sugar(diabetic person can avoid) and saunf. Check the consistency. Heat oil in a pan .Take one spoonful of batter and put in the hot oil. Fry till golden brown. Serve hot delicious taal pitha. These batter can be used to make pancakes.

For preparation of taal-kheer milk is reduced by boiling. add palm juice .Stir thoroughly in low flame. Sprinkle some elaichi powder(cardamom) to minimize the strong flavor of toddy .Serve cool.

But we should give chance to the obscure palm an entry into the dessert domain. So…I have been trying to give global touch to this Indian village taal as TODDY PALM CAKE…

Ingredients:

Palm pulp=100gm

Flour=150gm

Egg=2large

Sugar=100gm(powdered)

Butter=100gm

Baking powder=1tsp

Baking soda=1/2tsp

Vanilla extract=1tsp

Salt=1/4tsp           

Cinnamon powder=1tsp

Method: In a medium bowl mix flour, baking powder ,baking soda, cinnamon powder, salt. In an another bowl  stir palm pulp, sugar, butter, vanilla. With mixer on low speed beat egg one at a time.Add flour mixture and palm mixture alternatively. beat until smooth. Bake in a microwave plus convection mode in 180 degrees for 15 minutes. Garnish with icing sugar, cherry.

I swear it could be popular as much as carrot cake.

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