Cherished Grandmother's Recipes, Perpetuated by Memories Instead of Books: Exploring the Enduring Legacy of 'Nayachevi' Sweets
In the heart of her childhood, Lakshana N Palat's memories are filled with a unique flavour that has since become a cherished remnant of the past - the nayachevi. This diamond-shaped sweet, a family secret known only to Lakshana and her family, was a constant companion during her weekends at home.
The nayachevi, meaning "dog's ears" in Malayalam, was a delightful treat that Lakshana's grandmother, Muthassi, would have ready and waiting whenever she arrived home for lunch. The sweet existence, best remembered in Lakshana's mind, was crunchy with a hardened sugar coating and was never too sweet.
Lakshana's first doll dresses were stitched by her grandmother, and the nayachevi was no exception. However, Lakshana never saw her grandmother make the nayachevi. The recipe, guarded by Lakshana with a sense of secrecy, is known to no one else.
The ingredient that gave the nayachevi its distinctive flavour was black sesame seeds. Muthassi, known for her culinary prowess, could bake and cook dishes that wouldn't exist in recipe books. She could bake the one particular dish that no one else knew how to replicate, and the nayachevi was one of them.
Every day, Muthassi would tell the same stories from Ramayan, transporting Lakshana to a world of myth and magic. Lakshana believes that adults can do anything as a child, and Muthassi's ability to create the nayachevi seemed like a small miracle to her young self.
The last time Lakshana ate the nayachevi is unclear. What is certain is that Muthassi could not remember how to make it years later. Lakshana wishes she had asked her grandmother the secret to the nayachevi, but the recipe died with her.
The nayachevi, a flavour that filled Lakshana's life for those years, may never be brought back. However, its memory lingers, a testament to the power of food in shaping our childhood experiences. The enigmatic taste of the nayachevi remains a cherished memory for Lakshana N Palat, a sweet reminder of a time long past.
