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A traditional Keralan sweet snack where a luscious mix of ripe jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut is steamed in fragrant bay leaves. These cone-shaped dumplings are naturally sweet and incredibly aromatic.
For 6 servings
Prepare the Jackfruit Pulp
Create the Batter
Shape the Dumplings
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A traditional Keralan sweet snack where a luscious mix of ripe jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut is steamed in fragrant bay leaves. These cone-shaped dumplings are naturally sweet and incredibly aromatic.
This kerala recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 6 servings. At 339.8 calories per serving with 4.3g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for snack or breakfast or dessert.
Steam the Kumbilappam
Check for Doneness and Serve
If jackfruit is not available, you can make a similar dish called 'Vazhanayappam' by replacing the jackfruit pulp with an equal amount of mashed ripe bananas (preferably Nendran variety).
For a delightful crunch, mix in 2 tablespoons of roasted coconut bits (thenga kothu) or chopped cashews into the batter.
For a slightly different texture, you can use a mix of rice flour and whole wheat flour (atta) in a 2:1 ratio.
Jackfruit and coconut are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes a healthy gut microbiome, and helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
The combination of natural fruit sugars from jackfruit and complex carbohydrates from rice flour provides a sustained release of energy, making it an ideal snack to combat midday slumps.
Jaggery is an unrefined sugar that retains essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium, offering a more nutritious alternative to processed white sugar.
Kumbilappam is a relatively healthy, traditional snack. It is steamed, not fried, and uses natural sweeteners like jackfruit and jaggery instead of refined sugar. It's also a good source of fiber. However, it is calorie-dense, so it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
A single serving of two dumplings (approximately 125g) contains around 250-280 calories. The exact number can vary based on the sweetness of the jackfruit and the amount of jaggery and coconut used.
Banana leaves are the best and most common substitute, which will impart a subtle, pleasant aroma. If neither is available, you can use parchment paper shaped into cones, though you will miss the characteristic fragrance from the leaves.
This can happen if the jackfruit has a high water content. To fix this, add a little more roasted rice flour, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the batter becomes thick and holds its shape.
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free as it does not contain any animal products.