Ketupat

What is Ketupat?

Ketupat is a diamond-shaped rice cake. This Malay food staple is made of cooked rice compressed and wrapped in woven coconut leaves.

Originating from Indonesia and Malaysia, ketupat is often consumed as an accompaniment to meat dishes such as satay (skewered barbecued meat) or stews, although the traditional version has become less common in Singapore.

It is served during special occasions such as Hari Raya Puasa and Malay weddings, but can also be eaten during regular meals.

History of Ketupat

Ketupat was first introduced by Sunan Kalijaga, one of the nine saints of Javanese Islam, in the 15th–16th century, mainly in the Demak regency located in Central Java. Bakda Lebaran and Bakda Kupat were developed by Sunan Kalijaga.

Bakda Lebaran is celebrated on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr by praying and silaturahmi (visiting and chatting), whereas Bakda Kupat is celebrated a week after the day of Eid Al-Fitr. Ketupat is very closely associated with the tradition of Eid celebration and feast.

During Bakda Kupa, almost every house looks busy and the people start weaving the coconut leaves in a diamond shape. After ketupat has been cooked and dried, it is gifted to neighbors/family/relatives as a symbol of togetherness.

Ketupat has not only spread in Java but also reached all over Indonesia and other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. This is because of the spread of Islamic religion. The spread of Islam has brought with it one of the cultural traditions, that is, serving ketupat during Eid feast.

How is Ketupat made?

The ketupat, wrapped in a pouch of woven palm leaves, is then boiled for hours. As the rice cooks, the grains expand to fill the pouch and the rice becomes compressed into soft cakes. This method of cooking gives the ketupat its characteristic form and texture of a rice dumpling.

Ketupat is usually eaten with rendang (a type of dry beef curry) or served as an accompaniment to satay.

Types of Ketupat

Ketupat nasi

Ketupat nasi is made from common white rice and is wrapped in a square shape with coconut palm leaves while ketupat pulut is made from glutinous rice is usually wrapped in a triangular shape using the leaves of the fan palm (Licuala).

Ketupat pulut

Ketupat pulut is also called ketupat daun palas in Malaysia, primarily found in northern Malay Peninsula and among the Malay community of southern Thailand. Usually ketupat pouch are made from janur or young palm leaves fronds. However, in Kalimantan, nipah leaves might be used and woven into

What is Kurma?

Dates are also a popular snack during this time as it is believed that the Prophet Muhammad broke his fast each day by eating a date. Thus, it is also tradition for Muslims to break their fast each day by eating a date.

History of Kurma

The scientific name, phoenix dactylifera, comes from ancient Greece. The coastal region between the Jordan Valley and Mediterranean Sea is known as Phoenicia, Greek for purple land, a nod to the purple dye made from poisonous sea snails that made the area famous. Because the date palm grew abundantly in Phoenicia, it was believed to be the trees homeland. It became known as Phoenix, or tree of Phoenicia, and was a symbol of the region and was featured on Phoenician coins. Dactylifera translates to “finger bearing”, a reference to the oblong shaped dates and the clusters they grow in.