On our Virtual Escape to Tamil Nadu, we asked Chef Sricharan - "If you could take one dish from your state to be represented on the world's stage, what would you name?"
His answer - Paruthi Paal
His answer - Paruthi Paal
Paruthi (cotton seed) paal (milk) is a drink that is rich in nutrition but doesn't have that rich a history.
The consumption of cotton seeds during WW II was out of necessity, because of lack of availability of food. The cotton seeds have a toxic compound that is removed. The seeds are then soaked, ground and filtered to extract the cotton seed milk.
Paruthi Paal is usually sweetened with jaggery and kudu millet, cardamom, coconut and dry ginger powder are added.
Click here to read the entire interview with Chef Sricharan Venkatesh
Not just this drink, but with the cotton seeds a rich halwa is also made.
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