Koova Paysam (Arrow root desert)

 

Koova  or arrow root paysam is the traditional desert prepared on the day of Thrivathira festival .     It’s a fasting and celebration day for ladies. Celebration during any festival is incomplete without desert/paysam.Traditionally Arrow root powder was prepared at home ,it’s prepared from scratch so it’s very time consuming and lot of hard work is done to get the final product. And during olden times this powder is dissolved in water for few minutes and the water on the top is drained off several times. But in todays era it's easily available in all grocery and ayurvedic shops. This is an healthy desert prepared differently in different parts of kerala. In thrissur also there are variation to this paysam. My Amma n grandma used to prepare it like  Jelly  consistency where we can cut it into square pieces and have it. Whereas my mother-in-law use to prepare it in liquid form like any other paysam. But it tastes yummy and gives a cooling affect to body  in whichever form we eat it.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup Koova Powder (dissolved in water)

1 tablespoon ghee

¼ cup coconut grated (Coconut normally used are the dried ones)

½ ltr milk

1 ¼ cups water

1 cup jaggery melted, adjust to taste!

½ teaspoon grounded cardamom 

Method

In a thick bottom pan. Add all ingredients except the grated coconut and ghee. Mix it well then switch on the flame and stir continuously . Till it get to right consistency  then add grated coconut, ghee and mix well switch off the flame. Serve hot or chilled. Both tastes yummy. Normal milk can be replaced with coconut milk .