Paruthi Paal: Tamil Nadu's Unique Cottonseed Milk Is Full Of Goodness (Recipe Inside)
Paruthi Paal: Tamil Nadu's Unique Cottonseed Milk Is Full Of Goodness (Recipe Inside)
Madurai's food scene truly comes alive as the sun begins to set. It's also when you begin to see the first pushcarts selling paruthi paal or cottonseed milk hit the scene.
Rich in nutrients, Paruthi Paal keeps your body cool in summers
Some Paruthi Paal recipes incorporate almonds
I first learnt about Obe Koowu, a traditional Nigerian soup made with cottonseed during a long 17-hour flight from LA to Dubai. I got talking to Abebi Abi, my Nigerian co-passenger, eventually the conversation drifted towards Nigerian cuisine. It was fascinating to hear about a soup made with the same cottonseed that is used for cotton wool and garments. This conversation took me back to a trip to Madurai in 2013, where I first tried a beverage made with cottonseed. You haven't truly sampled the taste of Tamil Nadu if you haven't visited Madurai. For centuries Madurai has been at the heart of Tamil culture. It's also one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The city has always been a busy trading hub, it was once the epicentre of the powerful Pandya dynasty - the legendary Madurai Meenakshi temple is evidence. Madurai is often referred to as 'Thoonganagaram' - the city that never sleeps. The city's busy markets have attracted traders from across Southern Tamil Nadu, many of these traders have depended on the city's food stalls and tiny restaurants that remained open even after midnight.