“Sarniveera /Coconut Leaves Sticks” Prepared by me for the first time at home … These thin sticks are used to pin up the jackfruit leaves to make them into molds/baskets in which the batter of Idly is poured to steam which is called khotto, a famous method used by Konkani Saraswats and South Indians ... It is also used in preparation of "Brooms" that helps us keep our homes and courtyards clean ....…
** Wondering why I have made a post on this one, well I thought it is best to spread knowledge on how clever and innovative our ancestors were who used almost all parts of trees to their best advantage. I have just added here about how the sticks are prepared and used by us GSB's / Konkani Saraswats in preparing the molds. The same is done by many people in southern parts of India too. A few days back I had mentioned in one of my posts how we Indians use some fruits or veggies, their skins, seeds, etc. in preparing the dishes. No, it is not a recent discovery it is traditional and dates back to ages, it is just that we never promoted it, which the west is now doing. Here I have brought about a post on the coconut leaves sticks only, but the leaves too when they are fresher are used in preparation of weaving of baskets. There are other trees too that are highly beneficial from roots at the bottom to the fruits that adorn the crown, for eg. Banana tree, the stem, the leaf, the bananas, the flower etc. are all used beautifully without any wastage.
** Coconut tree is also fully beneficial from roots to crown again like many other plants. Coconut tree is also considered as auspicious as the nut it bears is so holy for Hindus that no festival or auspicious celebrations are held without using it. In every occasion coconut has its own respectful place amongst Hindus even in case of funerals. The tree is also known as “Kalpavriksha”; which means all products of the same are beneficial/used by human beings in some form or the other. It is believed that those who have coconut tree in their backyard inherit all healthy things needed to family and their future generations for a sound living. The nut which has thick cream within (soyi), the oil derived from it, the leaves, the fibers, the kernel, the coir, the sticks from leaves, the roots etc. are a just a few things used from this wonderful tree while the list is endless, so much so that even when the tree stands tall no more, it is still used in preparation of furniture’s or as wood fire.
** When the tree falls its natural death, or is uprooted for some cause, there is an innermost edible white thick fleshy part at the base of the plant which is supposed to be filled with nutrition and those who get to eat them are considered lucky. This is so because one hardly gets that opportunity, which luckily I did get once about 15 years back. One coconut tree had to be uprooted in my locality as it was almost bent to a 40 deg. angle and was really a danger to children who played in the compound. When the tree was brought down and the roots were removed, and cut, the person cut it up and from within came a thick root similar to the ones like keerlu / bamboo shoots. He gave me a large chunk and asked me to distribute it to all. I was amazed, though I had grown up in Mangalore were coconut trees are in plenty, this was the first time I was witnessing a tree being uprooted and never knew there was something to eat within it. The person assured me and ate a piece of the same as a proof. It was awesome in taste. I was left with a large chunk which I ate keeping fridge over a week's time.
** Coming to the preparation of sticks, there are a few coconut trees adjacent to our building compound wall, the madala/leaf branch of which always falls in our compound, so does some coconuts. I have known of the sticks all my life, but for the past 25 yrs never bothered to pick it as it was of no use to me. I had no access then to jackfruit leaves which meant I could not prepare khottos in which preparation it was used a lot. It’s in the last 2 years when the government office which I visit on regular basis on my official work was demolished and built fully new on a new premises almost adjacent to a jackfruit tree, which branches could be reached over as the building was built on height coz. of which the tree went down about 6 feet. My happiness knew no bound and I happily started picking the leaves and bringing them home. The sticks for pinning up were available in small bundles in Mangalore stores in Mumbai. But the worst part of it was that almost 50% of it had to be chucked off as it was either too thin or broke on usage, which meant I had to buy now in larger quantities.
** Though I have never prepared these sticks before, I had watched them being done during my childhood, so when this time a branch of coconut tree fell in my compound, in curiosity I removed some of its long leaves that have the sticks within them, dried them for a week in my window grill and then tried my hand in preparing the sticks successfully. Well, I was happy that I got good sticks for usage and now the next time the branch falls, I will pick some more and keep a stock of it with me, which means I need not rely on Mangalore stores for it anymore. It was then that I realized that present generation might not even know about it, as living in cities they neither had access to it, nor were there anyone to even tell them the same. So I clicked some pictures of the procedure, so that I could Blog about it, so that even if they did not have access to it, at least they would have the knowledge of the same. I know many of you have prepared it, specially those who have a tree in their backyard, do make best use of it, these are all natural disposable ones that are environment friendly.
** I must also share here that the most usage of these enormous leaves done are in preparation of brooms, yes the ones with which the floor and outer courtyards are swept clean still by many in villages though in towns plastic or fiber ones have taken over. The coconut plant sheds a lot of these branched leaves, it has to be dried and then prepared into sticks as I have shown in the picture. The full length of the stick which tapers thin at the bottom is maintained. About 50-60 sticks are bunched together and tied with a strong thread to hold them in one bunch on the thicker side of the sticks while the tapering side of the bunch is left loose and is used for sweeping. The full branches are also piled on the roof tops in villages as a shade over the roof. It is useful during monsoon,as it prevents the water entering their homes if there are small leakages also it keeps the home cool if sprinkled with some water during monsoon. It is also weaved together to form mats, which can be used both on floor or a windshield or room separators, even window shades.
** Well, I must mention here of one more of it's funny usage in the olden days, which I am sure cannot be done so now. It was used as a whip when children misbehaved and Ouch it really did hurt. Yes, you are right, I have had my share of it a few times but that definitely has not turned me bitter, I always feel the spankings we got have made us into better human beings. Well, I think have shared almost all that I know, though there may be much more to it as my knowledge too is limited, as when I grew up unfortunately we never had access to these trees but gained the same from my neighbors place. I really find these things interesting and wonder who might have thought about it first and how they went about doing all these things, seeing to it that they spread the knowledge by word of mouth and made people practice the same so that it lives on. As for me I am really happy I tried my hand in making it and learned something new. Now I have them all cleaned, trimmed and sharpened to needed sized pieces for easy pinning up of khottos. Now I have plenty for preparing Khotto/ Jackfruit leaves baskets and also to pin up the Veedo (Betel Leaves) during festivals etc. etc.
** I hope this has been useful, interesting read and informative to many of you. I strongly believe knowledge should be shared/spread and even if one person finds my posts interesting or useful or let's say fun to go through, I will be happy for having taken the time and written so much. We all have some obligations /duty towards coming generations. The urban living, the losing of childhood with burden of studies and the lack of time for anything other than studies are making our children jack of all trades but king of none. They are losing out on basic knowledge of living necessities. So make it a point to at least read, read and read. Books are the best source of knowledge, so keep reading how much ever old you grow. Make it a habit with children at young age to read, it will run till the ripe age and they will gain more knowledge if not experience. I will try my best to write more on such topics as and when it crops up in my mind, till then keep trying out my easy recipes in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends. Make it a point to be healthy and eat healthy. Thanks a lot for reading through the article on “Sarniveera /Coconut Leaves Sticks”.
** You can check out on the link given below for making of the "Khotto/ Jackfruit Leaves Baskets" used in preparing of Idly in these molds ….
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** I am happy to inform you that I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" which is over and year old, with about 19K strong members. It is a pleasure to inform that you will find in the group many more recipes posted by our expert members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" … Thank You ….
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