Lepet

Lepet is a traditional Indonesian dish, particularly popular in Javanese cuisine. It is a type of sticky rice dumpling mixed with peanuts, packed inside a banana leaf, and then steamed. Lepet is often consumed as a staple food, snack, or served during traditional ceremonies and celebrations.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of Lepet are glutinous rice and peanuts. The rice is soaked overnight and then mixed with the peanuts. This mixture is then packed inside a banana leaf, which is folded and secured with a string. The packed rice is then steamed for several hours until it becomes sticky and firm. The banana leaf not only serves as a wrapper but also imparts a distinctive aroma to the dish.

Cultural Significance

Lepet is often associated with the Javanese tradition and culture. It is commonly served during traditional Javanese ceremonies such as Slametan and Tumpengan. In the Javanese calendar, Lepet is also traditionally made and consumed during the month of Sura as part of the celebration of the Javanese New Year, or Suroan.

Variations

There are several variations of Lepet found across Indonesia. In West Java, a similar dish is known as leupeut, which is larger in size and often filled with oncom or tempeh. In Bali, a similar dish is known as tipat, which is served with vegetables and peanut sauce.

See Also

• List of Indonesian dishes
• List of rice dishes
• List of steamed foods