Ria's Collection: KONJU VARUTHATHU ~ Pan Fried Scampi in Kerala style ~

Friday, October 30, 2009

KONJU VARUTHATHU ~ Pan Fried Scampi in Kerala style ~






'Konju' is a speciality of Kuttanad and this was one of the highlights during my parent's engagement back in 1982 :) Even now when people talk about that day, they always remember to bring up the topic of 'those huge prawns' :)


My grandad used to cultivate them in the natural pond in our backyard in Pallikuttumma. So we always had them in plenty. But nowadays, we buy it from the fisherman :(

My mom's bro makes it a point that we have it everytime we go there :) And last time when he visited us, he brought these. They were so good! But for a person like me, you cannot eat more than one! It is almost 8 inches long and weighs quite a bit :)



KONJU VARUTHATU
Recipe source: Amma

Ingredients:

Konju/Scampi/Prawns-4
Red Chilli powder1-1 1/2 tbsp ( depending on your spice tolerance level & also the type of chilli powder used. We mix Kashmiri chilli powder + regular red chilli powder so that it has a beautiful colour and is not too spicy)

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Salt-to taste
Water- few tbso, just enough to make a thick paste
Oil for shallow frying- 5-6 tbsp ( we prefer coconut oil)
Skewers (optional)

Method:

  • Clean the scampi and let the head remain intact.
  • Make a thick paste using red chilli powder, turmeric powder,salt and water.
  • Coat the scampi with it and shallow fry it,covered. It takes much more time than prawns as it is very thick and fleshy.
  • Serve hot with rice.




16 Comments:

Twinsy Rachel said...

Prawns in any variety is always my all-time favorite, esp the bigger ones... Looks awesome Ria... kappalodikkanulla vellamundu vayil ;-)... have been waiting for the post ever since the snap was put in Orkut!

Tina said...

Ria kutty adipoli...

Sunitha said...

Love the way you have presented the prawns and they look great...

Sarah Naveen said...

enteeshoye!!!!!
Thakarppan Riakutty!!!!
Enikku kothi vannittu vayya....
Orennam parcel ayakkuvo??

Unknown said...

Spicy good,those look like huge shrimp kababs,must try next time we get shrimp :D

Unknown said...

Ria dear the pics are awesome!! I just feel like grabbing one :) Btw, I've a prawns fry post in my drafts, almost similar recipe (my mom in law's). Am feeling so lazy to blog, still in the holiday mood ;). Hopefully next week, I will start....Looks like I've to catch up a few posts here:)

Suparna said...

wonderful presentation Ria,
Loved the pictorial, very neat .
Keep the posts coming :)
TC

Cham said...

Drooling would love to grab from ur pict!

Sushma Mallya said...

Wow looks mouthwatering ria...simply delicious one...

Michelle said...

WOW...gorgeous prawns and I love the green wrapper too!

Never ever heard of anyone cultivating their own shrimp before and how wonderful to have it right in your own backyard!

Zareena said...

vaayil koodi kappal odunnu Riakutty...

my kitchen said...

Lovely dish from prawns,I enjoyed ur basen ladoos.Do visit my blog when ur free

Mythreyi Dilip said...

Presentation looks great, really scrumptious!!!!

Jamie said...

Yum yum yum! Ria! Delicious! But how can you stop at just one?

Ann said...

Goodness - those prawns are GIGANTIC. they must be getting real TLC to get that big. Looks nice wrapped in the banana leaf!

Saraswathy Balakrishnan said...

Hmmmm that's one utterly irresistible shrimp wrap Ria...thanks for sharing!!

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