“Making of Khotto/ Khottige/ Jackfruit Leaves Molds/ Baskets” … the outer cover for preparing of steamed Idly using jackfruit leaves pinned up as molds/ baskets .... this is a traditional way handed down generations, the knowledge of which helps us to use user and nature friendly disposable baskets/ molds for preparing steamed dishes … I have include the method of preparation using fresh jackfruit leaves, then paper cups and steel tumbler to be used by just lining them with the leaves ... These prepared molds have been in practice in southern parts of India for a very long time, while in olden days one needed to prepare them, I believe they are now readily available in markets too … definitely one of the hygienic way of steaming dishes that cuts down on workload too ….
** It is always a pleasure to share a few helpful tips of whatever I know of or that I thought of with all of you. Many a times when I share different types of Khotto prepared using the jackfruit leaves molds, many of my friends just look at it in wonder and ask me about the same. While those living in southern parts of India and those belonging to GSB Konkani Saraswat Community are fully aware of these, it is something new to others like those in northern parts or outside India.
** Knowledge is always meant to be shared and internet helps us all learn something new each time we browse through it. For those not familiar with the weaving method of Jackfruit leaves I am sharing a few clicks of the same that may be helpful in learning procedure or you can check out any You Tube channel as there are plenty shared. Again, for those who find it tedious, but have access to leaves can easily use them as liners in paper cups or steel tumblers and use them too.
** Now, before one wonders why you should line a paper cup or steel tumblers here is my view on the same. Some find it very difficult, tedious and time consuming to prepare these jackfruit leaves molds as most of us are office goers with little time to spare. In such case you can use them as lining for paper cups or steel tumblers and use the same. This way those hard pressed for time will not miss out on the aromatic idlies and at the same time it will save time on washing the otherwise messy molds.
** Paper cups are believed to have wax coating within and lining the same will prevent it from affecting the idlies and the same can be easily disposed there by cutting off on workload. I must confess here that I have used paper cups directly too decades back and have not faced any health issues or any other problem, however I cannot vouch on the same. Again, using steel tumblers is safest, but then washing is a problem for many. By lining, the idlies come out intact while lifting and the tumbler remains easy to clean.
** Now for those who are not aware what khotto means, this is actually Idly batter steamed in prepared jackfruit leaves baskets in southern parts of India and we GSB Konkani Saraswat community have been following it for generations. It is amazing that our ancestors were so thoughtful and clever to think of using this disposable method which we should have carried on as a legacy without resorting to other methods as it not only ensures hygiene level but also can be disposed off easily as it is nature friendly.
** Another important point to be noted here is that is travel friendly as they not only remain good for a period of 2 days when steamed properly but ones the idlies within are removed the leaves can be just disposed of easily without having to carry any empty tins in further journey. I understand that those living in cities will find it difficult to get the leaves unlike those in southern parts who have a tree in their backyard. Luckily, I found one in the office I visit for my work and was really overjoyed about it.
** I am sure if you look around or query you will find some tree which you or any known friend may have access to, just check it out, who knows you might not have realized and find one just a stone throw away. I believe some southern stores have started selling them these days as people are realizing the importance of user and nature friendly items. Try learning to pin them up or you can line them up whichever you find convenient. I really hope this article spreads some light and bring in some awareness in society too.
** Do learn to get a proper knowledge of the method and once it is mastered then it is a breeze work to prepare these as you can easily make them while watching TV shows or chatting with family and friends. Most of the south Indians/ GSB Konkani Sarawat Community people always learn the method of preparing khottes/ Idly made in Jackfruit leaves during our childhood watching our amma or aunts or neighbors preparing them having a healthy gossip during evenings with some snacks to munch on.
** Before you wonder what the fuss is about, do try it out in your home and when the aroma spreads in the house when you steam them you will understand the attachment we have to these khottos. Both hubby and me have learnt this art of preparing the molds using jackfruit leaves with sarniveer (coconut leaves sticks) and always prepare them whenever we catch hold of the leaves. Off course whenever I run short on time I do follow the paper cup method and its been quite a long journey of about a decade or so.
** Actually, I started missing the jackfruit leaves flavor and when after years of married life I came across a jackfruit tree of which the leaves were easily available my joy knew no bounds, after which I have not looked back. Though I do use vati/ small bowls while steaming idly or ramdan (larger steel bowl) I never miss out on opportunity of preparing khotto whenever I am able to find the leaves. I have included collage of step by step pictures of the method which I hope will be helpful on learning of the same to all.
** First wash the leaves well in plenty of water and leave it in colander to drain, wipe excess water if any with a clean cloth. Now pick sets of four of equal sized leaves for preparing the molds, this will help in getting them in perfect shape. Keep two leaves facing each other with tapering sides facing outward, pin it on center from outside then keep another two above it and follow the same, you will get four leaves pinned that looks like a cross road junction (check attached picture).
** Remember to keep the smooth surface outside and the inner vien portion within, ie facing you when preparing. The final mold will have smooth surface outward and inner with vien marking, this gives you beautiful steamed khottos that have these marking that makes it that muh more appealing to see. The sides are then lifted and pinned on sides attaching them in such way as to give a square/ rectangular base below with tapering leaves upwards that looks like a long tumbler (Check out collage picture).
** I am aware that on reading this explanation one may not understand the method on exact preparation method and I am sorry about it, check out the step by step picture and if still need be do check out any visuals for proper guidance. But do make it a point to learn this, trust me you will never regret having learned this and will definitely fall useful to you if not today, definitely someday in future. One never knows when and where we will end up finding these leaves, just like I did, do we? So learn and enjoy preparing it.
** For Paper Cup Method : I would like to share here that I have successfully used paper cups too for steaming of Idly. However, one has to be very careful with these, also we cannot ignore the fact that they are coated with wax within which may not be good for health, though these days they are used a lot in bakeries for baking. So, I just went a step ahead to make it safer and added in some jackfruit leaves onto the sides of the paper cups just like lining to make them safe molds for my Idly batter.
** This is the first time I have used jackfruit leaves and paper cups together and surprisingly the result was simply great. It saved a lot of time of preparing the pinned up molds and I finished the process in a jiffy. The taste was the same too with no changes whatsoever. I have enclosed some pictures for everybody’s benefit here. If you find it difficult to make the basket but would like to taste the Idly steamed in them follow this method. You can use steel tumblers instead of paper cups too.
** The options are many, just use your imagination and you have a lovely steaming Idly with the aroma of jackfruit leaves. You can serve these with any accompaniment you like, but usually it is served with steaming hot sambar and coconut chutney. In all a lovely, tasty, healthy, aromatic Idly that can be relished any way one prefers to have them. I am sharing a few common links below that will help in choice of serving preference as well as in preparation of different types of Idly.
** All the above mentioned preparation of molds/ basket can be used for any type of steamed Idly preparations. The same can be used for sanna khotto ie spiced idly preparation too. I have shared plenty of pictures in collage format wherein I have shared pictures of dishes prepared using these molds. You will find them all in the Blog if you use search option with key words or the common link shared below. Do remember to send me a feed back if you found this article useful or if you have any query too.
** Though the broomstick are available almost everywhere, do remember to store them separately and not use them for anything else other than for preparing of khottos. These days they are available in small bundles in southern stores or Indian stores especially Mangalore stores, so you can purchase the same too. In case you are interested in preparing them and have access to coconut tree madala/ leaves, then I am sharing a link below and you can prepare them easily at home.
** Check out on all Khotto, Sanna Khotto and Idly recipes in the common link share below, just remember to keep the Idly batter thick to avoid it leaking through the leaves. Any type of Idly, sannakhotto etc. can be steamed in these prepared molds/ baskets ….
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Thanks.