Every dish you see on your plate today was once nothing more than an idea in a person’s head. Every culinary delight we relish has its origin story, which are sometimes fascinating. With the World Coconut Day just passing us by, we decided to trace the origins of some coconut dishes and here’s what we found.
Coconut Laddus OR ‘Nariyal Nakru’
Today, Coconut Laddus are a fixture in religious and traditional events across India. But the very first person to relish this sweet delicacy might have been someone from around 4,000 years ago! The earliest version of the Coconut Laddus date back to the Chola Empire, when it was known as ‘Nariyal Nakru’, and was offered to warriors as a symbol of good luck on their journey.
Solkadhi: Vicky Kaushal’s ‘drink for the soul’
Recently, Actor Vicky Kaushal called Solkadhi a ‘drink for the soul’. This cool and refreshing appetizer, made using kokum and coconut milk, originated from the Konkan Coast of Maharashtra and Goa. It was a staple of the fishermen in the region, who drank it to beat the draining humidity.
Melt-in-mouth ‘Kopra Pak’
Another entry into our list from the Konkan region, Nariyal Pak or Kopra Pak is made to further sweeten celebrations in India. It is believed that it was a chance invention when some crafty Konkani people mixed grated coconut with sugar and ‘lo and behold’, Kopra Pak was ready! In North India, this sweet treat is also served as prasad after Janmashtami celebrations.
The Tangy Coconut Chitranna
Widely cherished as a comfort meal, the Coconut Chitranna originated in Karnataka. A bowl of this dish is pleasantly chaotic journey of flavours, featuring a blend of coconut, mustard seeds, and spices! As for the origin, the mentions of this dish can be found as far back as the 1100 CE, in medieval-era cookbooks like Manasollasa and Pakadarpana.
Kerala Ishtu
An integral part of the Kerala cuisine, this one’s a stew with a base of the coconut. This dish is the perfect example of the fascinating fusion of the East and the West. That’s because the word ‘Ishtu’ is most likely a mispronounced version of the word ‘Stew’. The Kerala Ishtu is also a popular dish for Christmas feasts!
