Elaneer Payasam

Tender coconut water is nature’s gift to mankind.   It is so much more than just a thirst quencher. 

Elaneer Payasam or Tender Coconut Payasam (pudding) is a South Indian dessert.

Cocus Nucifera – the good old coconut  tree  has something very relaxing about it.  Standing tall and majestic, it thrives in tropical climate.  The tree is a king of ZERO WASTE.   The coconut tree is called a kalpavriksha for a reason.  Nothing that comes out of it is wasted.   It takes around 8 to 10 years to bear it’s first fruits.  Thereafter the tree just gives, gives and gives for the rest of it’s life.  In India, the coconut is an integral part of offerings and auspicious ceremonies.   What beauty would we have witnessed without these tall trees magnificiently swaying along the coastal stretches of Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra ?

And it should be declared downright criminal to down the status of this amazing tree to just a mere shrub, so that they can be felled without a permit ! 

It pains me to hear  of the selfish manipulative ways some people adopt to suit their vested interests.  The Goans were completely shocked by this act.  For them the coconut palm is so much more than just a tree. Felling coconut palms to clear the space for an unneeded airport, or widening of roads or commercialisation would mean stripping the heavenly charm from the state of Goa and reducing it to any other crowded metro like Mumbai or Delhi.   

I cannot imagine the beaches without these swaying palms, as it would be impossible to walk those sands in the sweltering heat, without the shade provided by them.  I only hope and pray that the natural beauty of these coastal states, remain untouched.  Failing which, our future generations will never be able to witness the breathtaking tropical bounty that nature has bestowed upon us.

I remember during our summer stays in Goa, how we happily gulped down the tender coconut water every time we felt thirsty. 😊

The nourishing drink of this fruit has a long list of benefits.  For starters, it is extremely refreshing.  Ideal for those who are watching their weight – 200ml of coconut water is just under 50 calories !!  The high amounts of potassium in the drink helps those who are battling hypertension.  It energises and is ideal to sip post your strenuous work-outs too.  The electrolytes help in replenishing the salts.

So Sip…. Sip…. Sip…. away

And what do you do with the tender coconut pulp. Well, I prefer just eating it as it is.  But since Onam was recently celebrated in Kerala, let’s draw a little inspiration from South India and prepare this very sophisticated dessert called Elaneer Payasam which simply means Tender Coconut Kheer (pudding) in Tamil.   It is a three step simple recipe.  All you have to do is add all the ingredients in the boiled and thickened milk to which sugar has been added.  Simple isn’t it ?  But heavenly to taste.

Elaneer Payasam (Tender Coconut Kheer)

Ingredients :

• 3 cups milk
• ¼ cup sugar (or as needed)
• ¾ cup tender Coconut flesh
• ½ cup tender Coconut Water
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ¼ tsp cardamon powder

Method :

• Boil 3 cups of milk and reduce it to 2½ cups.
• Add ¼ cup of sugar to the milk and stir till it dissolves.
• Turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
• Blend ¾ cup of tender coconut flesh with ½ cup of tender coconut water. KEEP IT SLIGHTLY COARSE.
• Now add ¼ tsp cardamom powder, coarsely ground tender coconut mixture and ¾ cup of coconut milk.
• Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
• Tender coconut payasam or Elaneer Payasam is ready .
• Serve chilled.

Note :

1. You can add condensed milk for richer taste.
2. The payasam tastes the BEST when served chilled.

Trivia :  Do you know how the Indian state – Kerala or Keralam like they say in Malayalam, got it’s name ?
It is because of Kera Vriksha, the Coconut tree.   In Malayalam Kera – alam means the land of coconut.