Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Kerala kitchen – some implements of the past

Recently, I came across some quaint old kitchen implements in the Archives at Thekkanattu Parayil, Olavipe. Assuming that you too might find them interesting, I am presenting a few photographs below:

This is an old noodles maker which was used for idiyappam (string hoppers). The handle on top is pressed and turned to make the dough into strings.


This too is an idiyappam press, made of wood. Now metal presses and screw extruders are used mostly.

Grated coconut is an essential ingredient in many Kerala recipes. This beautifully carved grater is, I think, made from a single block of wood. Notice how nicely the collection bowl is shaped.

Curry salt used to be kept in the kitchen in wooden boats like this.

This type of curd churner may be still in use in some old houses.

(Photos by me. Copyright reserved. Click on them for enlarged view.)

Ends.

Also see:

Kerala Food: Breakfast range

Kerala Cuisine: Manga thera (mango mat) recipe

6 comments:

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

I have seen some of these being used in my grandparents' home in Trivandrum, a long time ago.

Anonymous said...

I must admit that I'm happier seeing them on this blog than I would in my kitchen !

Unknown said...

Thank you for the comment, raji.

Unknown said...

Sunita, that is a practical outlook.

Maddy said...

the curd churner is new for me...but the others are interesting too. the coconut scraper looks magnificient. difficult to see ornate ones like that!!

CHANDRASEKHAR said...

SIR,

YOU ARE GRATE!!!!

CHANDRASEKHAR