Nungu Payasam/ Ice Apple Pudding/ Taal shaaser Payesh
This summer , after many many years, could lay my hands on these little wobbly pieces of goodness called Ice Apple , Nungu in Tamil, Taler shaash in Bengali, Tadgola in Hindi…. Well, it is the tender fruit of Palmyra Palm.
This seasonal fruit, available during summer, is translucent, fleshy, loaded with juicy fluid inside and have a subtle sweet taste like tender coconut. It is said to be an excellent natural coolant for the body and is loaded with a good amount of vitamins and minerals. The fruit is beautifully snuggled in little pockets of the hard shell of palmyra palm fruit. I watched with awe, how the fruit vendor, very skill fully cut the fruit with a sharp machete without destroying the fruit and revealing the encased translucent wobbly fruit, oozing with sweet juice.
After relishing it with gusto, to our heart’s content, on this sweltering summer afternoon…thought of making a dessert with this awesome fruit. Made Nungu Payasam ie Ice Apple Pudding or Tal shaasher Payesh.
Here’s how I made……
Things needed..
3 medium sized……Tender Ice Apple
1 ltr …………………….Full cream Milk
2tbsp………………….Jaggery powder ( can use sugar, quantity according to taste)
1tbsp………………….Milk Powder ( optional)
1/4 tsp………………..Cardamom powder
1/4 tsp………………..Nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp…………………Ghee
A handful of blanched Almonds
A handful of Seeds(pumpkin , sunflower)and Raisins
Method…..
Removed the skin of the Ice Apple and gave it a quick blitz in the processor, as I didn’t want to use it chopped. I feel the tiny pieces after the blitz blends better with milk than the chopped pieces .
In the meantime, poured the full cream milk in a saucepan and cooked over medium flame, till it thickened and was reduced to 3/4 of the quantity.
Next blend together the blanched almonds, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, milk powder and two tbsp of thickened milk into a smooth paste. Kept aside.
Heated the ghee in a pan and lightly fried the seeds and raisins. Kept aside.
Now, added the jaggery powder to the thickened milk along with the almond paste and simmered for 3-4 minutes.
Once, the milk thickened and the sweetness adjusted.. added the blitz ice apple and the fried seeds and raisins.
Simmered for a minute, removed from the flame and allowed it to cool down.
Served it chilled, garnished with more nuts, seeds and raisins.
Delicious and nutritious dessert Nungu Payasam (Ice Apple Pudding) ready to be served.
Gourmet Sushmita 