In the north (Alor Star) each time Hari Raya Puasa celebration comes around we will be looking forward to rendang and ketupat pulut with black-eye beans (or referred to ketupat daun palas, in Kelantan). It's triangular in shape.
For years, I never knew there were other types of ketupat. So, when we moved to JB (Johor Bahru) and was invited to my classmate's open house, I was surprised to see the square ketupat made from white rice encased in woven leaves instead. The triangular ketupat was no where to be seen.
The square ketupat has been an icon in Raya decorations & cards. Weaving the ketupat casing takes much practice. I have yet to master it. Then upon observing the ketupat casing, I made another discovery. The base of ketupats from Johor differ from the standard square ketupat. Its base is wider!
Pak Zawi, a Kelantan blogger has taken the trouble to blog about my favourite ketupat, ie. ketupat daun palas (ketupat pulut).
Here's the abridged version: (for details - http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2008/09/ketupat-daun-palas.html
"Pokok palas (licuala triphylla) grows in the wild in Kelantan. To those who don't use the leaves for making ketupat, the plant is a weed. It is only for such occasions as Raya that the demand for the leaves increases. Then you will see people selling them in the market.
The unopened shoot in the shape of a sword is the part required. Once it is opened the leaves become useless. "
TMO (the making of) - Daun palas ketupat
1. The first step is opening the leaves to make the casings. A casing is the leaf being folded into a triangular shell before it is filled with the steamed glutinous rice.
2. The end a single leaf is trimmed at the tip with a sharp knife so that the end will be straight and not serrated.
One hand is used to hold the tip of the leaf while the thumb of the other hand is used to flatten the many ribs on the leaf. The process is repeated until the whole leaf is comparatively flat. It is quite a task as the leaf tend to close up again just like a concertina. When it is able to hold the flat shape, the first fold can be made.
3. Followed by more foldings. Care must be taken not to flatten the casing as the folding may result in ugly creases. When the end of the leaf is near, the last fold will be a loop that will secure the leaf from opening up.
4. Making the last loop (above) is important before tightening up (below)
5. The picture below shows the correctly made casing (left) and the wrong last loop (right) which we call 'caping'.
It is ok if you dont get it right as it will hold just as well only that it is not right by the traditional way. Anyway this can be corrected later at the time of filling up.
For the Recipe : http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2008/09/ketupat-daun-palas.html
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