Kerala: Come, bless this jack fruit bash!

Kozhikode: Come to Palakkad on September 15 for a one-of-its-kind wedding reception with a good spread of 14 different Jackfruit (JF) delicacies. James P Mathew, a farmer from Kanjirapuzha in Palakkad, designed the wedding reception of his son Lino James out of love for JF. The 67-year-old has arranged 50 kg of processed JF to serve the invitees.   “The primary purpose is to make people aware of the untapped potential of JF. If properly used, it could bring about a revolution,” he affirms.

On the day, the welcome drink is JF juice. The other dishes are Chakka Puzhukku, Chakka Achar, Chakka Uppilittathu, Unakkiya Pacha Chaka, Chaka Payasam among others. Mr Mathew has been providing training to scores of people in and around Palakkad in making processed food items out of JF.

“The only investment needed is to buy a drier. I purchased one and modified it according to the needs. A concealed room is needed to prevent the entry of fire or smoke. JF should be processed in the room,” he explained.  He lamented that though he worked for the propagation of JF for 15 years, it has not been picked up by the public.

“I did not focus on the publicity side. Hence to introduce JF products on marriage reception,” he added. The marriage was to be held six months ago but put off for the need of the processing time for the JF. He had invited the chief minister, finance minister, agriculture minister and the who’s who in the JF field.

Along with the wedding invitation, there is a handbill he prepared, inviting to relish the mouthwatering JF cuisine. “It's an effort to inspire people to use more and more JF preparations for the wedding and other ceremonies, to pass on the message that it is a key for local food security,” he explains in the handbill.