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Bengalis Make A Mean Plastic Chutney. But, No There’s No Plastic In It; Recipe Inside

No no we won't feed you plastic in a food item, not even edible plastic. This one is a different and yummy plastic!

by Ankita Mazumdar
Bengalis Make A Mean Plastic Chutney. But, No There’s No Plastic In It; Recipe Inside

What’s in a name? Plenty, to be honest! It can either give you a full disclosure of what it is or deceive you. Here we are talking about an age-old Bengali food item, Plastic Chutney. When Bengalis mention chutney, commonly it can mean the delicious candied chutney of tomatoes, mangoes, green mangoes, dates, or pineapple. They also have a unique chutney which is absolutely not made out of plastic. It just looks like small pieces of plastic in a thick syrup gravy. You can also follow the YouTube video by Hebbars Kitchen.

What Is Plastic Chutney? Why Is It Called That?

Plastic Chutney is a popular fruit dish back in West Bengal. The reason to call it Plastic Chutney comes from its appearance. The fruit used is raw papaya! The way it is prepared turns translucent which makes it look like pieces of plastic. It doesn’t taste like plastic at all.

Also Read: What Is Aiburo Bhaat; Last Meal Bengali To-Be Brides & Grooms Have At Their Respective Parents’s Places?

A Step-By-Step Guide To Making This Sweet Plastic Dish

Ingredients Required:

    • ½ raw papaya
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp kalonji seeds
    • Some cashew and raisins
    • ½ lemon juice

Method:

  • Wash and peel the raw papaya. Slice open the papaya, along the cross-section and remove all the seeds. 
  • Cut the papaya into small and thin pieces, as thin as possible. Keep in mind you have to cut them uniformly so that the appearance of plastic-like and transparency is attained.
  • Add the water and then let it get to a good boil. Then add sugar and mix very well. Add everything except lemon juice.
  • Add the sliced papaya, stir and make sure everything is submerged.

  • Cover it with a lid and let it cook for a couple of minutes.  Slowly you will see the papaya will turn translucent. The papaya will cook and the sugar syrup will thicken. 
  • After that, add lime juice and mix well. The lime juice will give a balance and helps the sugar to not crystallise. 
  • Let it cook for a bit and the chutney thickens a bit more. Once it cools down it will thicken more and it won’t remain watery. So turn the heat off and let it cool. 
  • Serve it chilled with a full Bengali meal.

Also Read: What Is 108 Noibedyo Bhog; Why Do Bengalis Serve Niramish Mangsho To Kali Maa During Kali Puja?

It is all the work of raw papaya because a normal papaya wouldn’t give the appearance of plastic chutney. The papaya pieces do look like plastic but taste good; are super chewy and satisfying to bite into. There was no involvement of plastic even though the name might suggest. So, make this ASAP.

Cover Image Credits: Canva

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