Kuih putu

Kuih Putu is a traditional Malay dessert that is popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It is also known as putu bambu in some regions.

Overview

Kuih Putu is a cylindrical-shaped dessert made from ground rice flour, filled with palm sugar, and steamed in bamboo tubes, hence the name putu bambu. The dessert is usually served with freshly grated coconut on top. The unique preparation and presentation of Kuih Putu make it a distinctive part of Malay culinary tradition.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of Kuih Putu are rice flour, palm sugar, and coconut. The rice flour is mixed with water to form a dough, which is then packed into the bamboo tubes. A center hole is made in the dough, into which the palm sugar is poured. The dough is then covered with more rice flour, sealing the sugar inside. The bamboo tubes are placed on a special steamer and cooked until the Kuih Putu is done. Once cooked, the Kuih Putu is pushed out of the bamboo tube and served with freshly grated coconut.

Cultural Significance

Kuih Putu is often associated with festive occasions and is commonly served during Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, and other Malay celebrations. It is also a popular street food and can be found in night markets and food stalls across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Variations

There are several variations of Kuih Putu, including putu piring and putu mayam. Putu piring is a disc-shaped version of Kuih Putu, while putu mayam is a string hoppers version made with rice flour and coconut milk.