Bengali Cuisine,
Kancha Peper Plastic Chutney or Bengali Plastic Chutney
The taste of a Bengali Platter's Chutney is quite different from the other types of chutneys. Whenever we Bengali's say chutney we relate the taste with sweet and sour tongue tickling combination. During my hostel days in Chennai, I came to know about the other varieties of chutneys such as coconut chutney, dhania-pudina chutney, spicy tomato chutney etc. and interestingly none of them has the taste of sweetness. Then I realized Bengali Platter's Chutney has the extra addition of sugar with a tangy taste.
What is Plastic chutney and why the name?
In any occasion, you will find chutney along with papad followed by sweets to finish a Bengali meal. Bengali plastic chutney is famous in any special occasion including wedding day lunch, birthday meal, first rice ceremony meal or any other special days. You must be wondering how could a person prepare chutney with plastic!
Let me tell you why raw papaya chutney or kancha peper chutney is called plastic chutney. Bengali plastic chutney is nothing but candied raw papaya chutney. Thinly sliced raw papaya (পেঁপে) pieces are cooked in sugar syrup until they turn transparent like plastic sheet. Hence it is known as plastic chutney. (Is there any other explanation for this name? if yes please do let me know).
How does the papaya plastic chutney taste?
As I told you Bengali chutneys are sweet and tangy in taste. Similarly, the papaya plastic chutney tastes sweet and tangy. Though papaya is neutral in taste, we add lemon juice to give the tangy taste.
What are the other plastic chutneys?
Other than papaya, we can use Summer fruits like raw mango or pineapple to make this chutney. You can follow the similar procedure except the addition of lemon juice as these fruits are sour in nature. Each of these plastic chutneys has their own flavour as the main ingredient is different in each type. However, the plastic chutney prepare with raw papaya is the most popular one.
How to serve the plastic chutneys?
Bengali plastic chutneys are part of a Bengali meal. It is served almost at the end of meal along with fried papad. You can also enjoy them just like that with papad.
Can I store the plastic chutney? If yes, then how long?
Yes, you can store the plastic chutney in the refrigerator up to 5 to 7 days.
You can cook plastic chutney in a large batch and cool it properly. Later you can store it in a clean and sterile covered glass container up to 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Whenever required, take out the jar from the refrigerator and use a clean spoon to take out required amount of chutney and again keep the bowl back in the refrigerator.
Bengali Style Papaya Chutney / Raw Papaya Chutney
Ingredients
Raw Papaya - 1 medium size
Sugar - 200 gm (Approx , according to your taste bud)
Salt - a pinch
Lemon Juice - 1 tablespoon
Raisins - 12-15 nos
Refined Oil - 11/2 teaspoon
Mustard Seeds/ Bengali five spice - 1/2 teaspoon
Dry red chilli - 1
Procedure
1. Take a pan and add 2 cups cup water. Dissolve sugar and switch on the gas.
2. Add the sliced papaya, salt and boil in sugar-water mixture.Boil them on medium heat until the papayas are soft and transparent in nature. Add raisins while boiling this mixture.
3. Now when the water almost dries up, reduce the flame and add lemon juice and mix well.
4. Take another small pan and heat oil. Add dry red chilli and mustard seeds/Bengali five spice and in it. When seeds starts crackling add this on the papaya chutney. Mix well. Allow it to cool and serve it with rice or khichuri.
What is Plastic chutney and why the name?
In any occasion, you will find chutney along with papad followed by sweets to finish a Bengali meal. Bengali plastic chutney is famous in any special occasion including wedding day lunch, birthday meal, first rice ceremony meal or any other special days. You must be wondering how could a person prepare chutney with plastic!
Let me tell you why raw papaya chutney or kancha peper chutney is called plastic chutney. Bengali plastic chutney is nothing but candied raw papaya chutney. Thinly sliced raw papaya (পেঁপে) pieces are cooked in sugar syrup until they turn transparent like plastic sheet. Hence it is known as plastic chutney. (Is there any other explanation for this name? if yes please do let me know).
How does the papaya plastic chutney taste?
As I told you Bengali chutneys are sweet and tangy in taste. Similarly, the papaya plastic chutney tastes sweet and tangy. Though papaya is neutral in taste, we add lemon juice to give the tangy taste.
What are the other plastic chutneys?
Other than papaya, we can use Summer fruits like raw mango or pineapple to make this chutney. You can follow the similar procedure except the addition of lemon juice as these fruits are sour in nature. Each of these plastic chutneys has their own flavour as the main ingredient is different in each type. However, the plastic chutney prepare with raw papaya is the most popular one.
How to serve the plastic chutneys?
Bengali plastic chutneys are part of a Bengali meal. It is served almost at the end of meal along with fried papad. You can also enjoy them just like that with papad.
Can I store the plastic chutney? If yes, then how long?
Yes, you can store the plastic chutney in the refrigerator up to 5 to 7 days.
You can cook plastic chutney in a large batch and cool it properly. Later you can store it in a clean and sterile covered glass container up to 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Whenever required, take out the jar from the refrigerator and use a clean spoon to take out required amount of chutney and again keep the bowl back in the refrigerator.
Bengali Style Papaya Chutney / Raw Papaya Chutney
Ingredients
Raw Papaya - 1 medium size
Sugar - 200 gm (Approx , according to your taste bud)
Salt - a pinch
Lemon Juice - 1 tablespoon
Raisins - 12-15 nos
Refined Oil - 11/2 teaspoon
Mustard Seeds/ Bengali five spice - 1/2 teaspoon
Dry red chilli - 1
Procedure
1. Take a pan and add 2 cups cup water. Dissolve sugar and switch on the gas.
2. Add the sliced papaya, salt and boil in sugar-water mixture.Boil them on medium heat until the papayas are soft and transparent in nature. Add raisins while boiling this mixture.
3. Now when the water almost dries up, reduce the flame and add lemon juice and mix well.
4. Take another small pan and heat oil. Add dry red chilli and mustard seeds/Bengali five spice and in it. When seeds starts crackling add this on the papaya chutney. Mix well. Allow it to cool and serve it with rice or khichuri.
Nice.. similar to chunda.. I had made raw papaya chunda recently
ReplyDeleteOohh!! I love this very much. Always a pleasure on my taste buds.
ReplyDeleteyou have very different way of making it. love to try this way too.
ReplyDeleteThis looks similar to raw mango chutney,yummy!
ReplyDeleteinteresting recipe...
ReplyDeletevery nice .mouthwatering and delicious papaya chutney ..
ReplyDeleteMouthwatering chutney
ReplyDeleteI love this chutney!
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to make it, I'll try it soon!!
Looks like delicious chutney I will try it once I get hold of raw papaya.
ReplyDeletesuch a delicious chutney:)
ReplyDeleteWill make this for my hubby ,he loves papaya chutneys..this looks yumm
ReplyDeleteThis is something new. Looks very tasty and yummy
ReplyDeleteHi Amrita. Good to know you. Loved your papaya chutney. I ve seen this only in chaat corners. Not many people sell it. Nicely prepared.
ReplyDeleteoh is it? never knew it is sold in chaat corners
DeleteHi Amrita, thank for favour, introducing culture food. Loved it... Can we use pepper powder r chilli fakes...
ReplyDeleteHey you can add pepper powder or chilli flakes but that will definitely change the taste...
DeleteHow interesting! The chutney looks wonderfully delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have never made anything with raw papaya and not even tasted this chutney. Such a beautiful color and so much inviting. Delicious!!
ReplyDeleteWas so curious to read about this. Never knew we can make chutney from raw papaya.Sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have had this chutney at a Bengali friends house and fell in love with it. The chutney looks really good :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting.. I know of tutti fruti with raw papaya and this one is something new.. Looks tangy and yum, just like mango pachadi in south :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting and delicious recipe!
ReplyDeleteNew to me and looks so yum..
ReplyDeleteOh, what an interesting name! I love those flavours☺
ReplyDeleteInteresting, and it looks delicious too! I love chutney but have never made it so this is on my "to try" list! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNow I know why it is called plastic chutney. I have tasted other types of chutney such as coconut chutney and the tomato chutney, etc. but haven't tasted Bengali chutney.
ReplyDelete