An exceptionally sweet tropical fruit with a grainy inner flesh, chiku adds a special sweetness to milkshakes and smoothies.

However, its sweetness can also be explored through a simple, yet mouth watering ‘chiku barfi’. And, since this fruit is almost out of season…. here’s a good way to preserve its flavor!

Ingredients:

Here’s what you are going to need:

  • 8 tsp Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 cup Khoya
  • 4 cups Chiku pulp
  • ½ tsp Cardamom powder
  • 2 tbsp Chopped Almonds (optional)

Utensils:

  • Knife
  • Blender
  • Spatula
  • Pan
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Greased cookie tray

This is how you go about it:

  1. Peel the chiku and put the deseeded chiku pulp in a blender. Blend for one minute to make a smooth paste
  2. Pour the chiku paste into a pan and cook on medium heat.
  3. Add sugar and khoya and cook, stirring regularly until dry.
  4. Add ghee and stir until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan.
  5. Add cardamom powder and mix well.
  6. Pour the mixture into a greased cookie tray.
  7. Smoothen and flatten the mixture with a spatula.
  8. Garnish it with almonds and allow to cool before you keep it in the refrigerator for an hour.
  9. Once cooled, use a kife to cut diagonally across the tray so as to cut out diamond shaped chiku barfi!
  10. Enjoy them with some good company, young and old alike!

(Image Courtesy of BigStockPhoto)