A Day in Kerala Country

Last Sunday, three of us went to visit Rakesh's parents at Kuttikatoor, Calicut. We thought we would be meeting the two of them, but the whole clan turned up to welcome us. And cooked and served and were generally hospitable to a degree which we never see nowadays.

In the backyard, are several jackfruit trees. Since I photographed the trees, they decided we are not to familiar with the fruit, and proceeded to give us a demo - how to cut it and then separate it in the most efficient way.

Light snack included chapati, pathri, toast, chicken and vegetable curries. Rakesh' maternal grandma, his aunt and mom who of course looks about 30 years old in the kitchen.

Periamma to the right, who is a retired nurse was giving me the full demo - but Achamma- who she says is stronger and healthier than her - was not satisfied and took over the event.

Since Pc has become vegeterian, lunch only included chicken fish and prawns. And avial and payasam and ....

A junior aunt was roped in to demonstrate the secrets fo the tender jackfruit for poriyal. Anyway, the dick was loaded with 4 fruits, mangoes, coconuts, elaneer, sweets, the calicut specials of halwa and chips, and a large aruval and knife to cut the jackfruit properly. So does anyone want to come nexttime we go?