Naadan chembu asthram or taro root curry: Discover a classic Kerala recipe from the past


Naadan chembu asthram or taro root curry: Discover a classic Kerala recipe from the past

Made with a handful of ingredients, this dish can be made under 30 minutes!



guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Guide to making Chembu or Taro Root Asthram Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

A traditional dish, chembu asthram or taro root curry was common to every household in the past. However, over time, the recipe has slowly started to fade away. An excellent source of dietary fiber and good carbohydrates, taro root curry pairs well with kanji (rice porridge).

So, here's my attempt to bring this recipe from the past to the present...

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 300 gms Chembu (Taro Root)
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 2 green chillies
  • 450 ml water
  • 3 tbsp red tamarind (pizhupuli syrup)
  • 1 sprig curry leaf
  • Salt to taste

To Grind

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Grind coconut, shallots, green chillies and cumin to a fine paste Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese
  • 100 gms coconut, grated
  • ½ tsp cumin (jeera)
  • 1 green chilli
  • 3 shallots
  • 50 ml water

To Temper

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
For tempering, you will need: mustard seeds, dry red chillies, shallots and curry leaves Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • 2-3 dry red chillies
  • 1 sprig curry leaf
  • 2 tsp coconut oil

Method:

Step 1: Peel the skin of the taro roots and wash them thoroughly. Cut them into one-inch size cubes (as shown in picture)

Step 2: Put the cleaned taro root in a manchatti or earthen pot. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, slit green chillies and water. Cook this for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Grind the desiccated coconut in water along with cumin (jeera), shallots and green chilli, to a fine paste. Add salt to taste.

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Grind the desiccated coconut, cumin, shallots and green chilli into a fine paste Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 4: Once the taro root pieces are cooked, add the ground coconut paste and mix it well. Add one sprig of curry leaf. Cook for few minutes.

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Add it into the pot... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 5: Add tamarind syrup and cook for another one minute. As it gets cooked, swirl the manchatti once or twice to evenly mix the tamarind syrup and coconut paste. Turn the flame off.

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Add tamarind syrup as well... Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 6: Finally, for tempering, heat coconut oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Fry the chopped shallots and the dry red chillies until it turns light brown. Add a sprig of curry leaf and sauté it till the shallots become golden brown. Pour this on top of the curry and close the manchatti with its lid for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with steamed rice or kanji (rice porridge)

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
For tempering, heat mustard seeds, chopped shallots and dry red chillies. Once golden brown pour this on top of the curry Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Step 7: Pour this on top of the curry and close the manchatti with its lid for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with steamed rice or kanji (rice porridge)

guide-to-making-chembu-or-taro-root-asthram
Serve and enjoy with kanji (rice porridge) or hot, steamed rice Image Credit: Supplied/Sobha Varghese

Note: In place of an earthen pot, you can also use a thick pan.

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