Kappa Vevichathu

Today I am sharing the recipe of Kerala style Kappa Vevichathu / Kappa Kuzhachathu / Mashed Tapioca / Kappa Puzhukku, which is a popular dish of Kerala. Kappa and meen curry is a great combo. I even love to have it with Beef Curry or Chicken curry. Actually my mom used to grow tapioca at our backyards and she prepares this almost everyday. This dish is very easy to prepare and is very delicious too.The toddy shops and house boats back in Kerala are famous for serving delicious kappa vevichathu along with authentic spicy fish curry

Tapioca is also known as Cassava or Yuca. Yuca root is a major source of carbohydrates. A small amount of toxins are present in tapioca which will be removed by boiling. So we have to boil the tapioca at least two times.

Serves ~ 3 Adults

Ingredients

Kappa (Tapioca) ~ 2 Nos ( Medium sized )

Turmeric powder ~ 1/2 tsp

Mustard seeds 

Dry red chillies ~ 2-3 Nos

Curry leaves ~ 1 stem

Salt

Oil

For grinding : -

Grated coconut ~ 1/2 cup

Green chillies ~ 3-4 Nos

Dry red chillies ~ 2 Nos

Garlic ~ 4 cloves

Shallots (Kunjulli) ~ 5-6 Nos

Cumin seeds ~ 1/2 tsp

Turmeric powder ~ 1/4 tsp

Method

• First using a knife peel the skin of the tapioca. You have to remove both the thin brown color skin and thick pink color skin. Then wash it properly and cut it into medium size pieces. 

• Then cook the tapioca pieces by adding enough water, till the water starts to boil. Then drain the water and then again start cooking it by adding fresh water along with 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder and salt till the tapioca becomes soft.Then again drain it using a colander, but this time you have to drain it nicely and keep it aside.

• Meanwhile grind coarsely grated coconut, green chillies, dry red chillies, garlic, shallots, cumin seeds and turmeric powder. Just 3-4 pulses in mixer grinder is enough. No need to add water.

• Then transfer the cooked tapioca pieces to a pan and keep it in a very low flame. This will help in removing any water left in the tapioca pieces even after draining. Then add ground coconut mixture and using the back side of a wooden spoon, mash the tapioca pieces while mixing and remove from the flame. 

• Then heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it crackles, add curry leaves and dry red chillies and pour this to the cooked tapioca.

Enjoy kappa with spicy fish curry / beef curry / chicken curry.

Cheers!!