Duck Roast (Tharavu Puralan/ Kuttanadan Tharavu Roast) 

Duck Roast / Duck Puralan is a traditional Christian dish in Kerala and a special fare during all exceptional occasions like wedding, Christmas and Easter. Kuttanadan Duck Roast is very delicious as the meat is juicy and is delicately cooked in flavour rich gravy filled with spices and pepper to make it extra scrumptious. During my childhood, Tharavu Roast /duck roast (kottayam style). made its entry mostly during Easter or Christmas to our kitchen. We would eagerly wait for the next special occasion for another visit of this palatable guest. However, after my marriage, I never had to wait that long as we get fresh Tharavu (Duck) easily in Champakulam. And my mummy (mil) is a blessed expert in that department. Mummy’s Tharavu Mappas and Tharavu Roast/ Tharavu Puralan, both are deliciously yummy and while I love her Tharavu Mappas/ Duck Mappas with Palappam, VellayappamKallappam, Neer Dosa, Idiyappam etc., it is the Tharavu Puralan and Kottayam style Tharavu Pepper Roast that I love more. Easter Duck Roast is a must have dish during Easter.

The tradition of celebrating these special moments with the whole family is so wonderful. The joy and gusto of every celebration during my childhood is still embedded in my mind.  Easter Holy week celebration begins with Palm Sunday; the excitement and procession with palm leaves, shaping them into crosses, singing Hosanna and then relishing the yummy Kozhukatta! Then comes the Maundy Thursday, the most holy day; the long Holy Mass in the church, then helping my mom preparing the crosses for the Pesaha Appam and Paal, and waiting for grandpa to cut the Pesaha Appam and call each one by name. Good Friday was observed with all its seriousness, almost whole day was spent in the church fasting with only a midday meal of Kanji, Payar and pickle. Holy Saturday the kitchen would be buzzing with Easter preparations.  Christmas memories are bright and colorful, with stars and decorations and carol singing, crib making etc. I try my best to keep these traditions alive, so that my kids have wonderful childhood memories like us and continue the tradition with the same enthusiasm.

Coming back to our recipe for the day, the famous Kuttanadan Duck Roast: the duck we get in Alleppey side is more fleshy and tasty than any other and that is what makes Kuttanadan Tharavu Roast more special. It is also known as Tharavu Puralan as it has little gravy. Most of the Alleppey side dishes like Kakka Irachi ularthiyathu, Prawns roast, Fish curry, Karimeen Mappas etc are special because everything is freshly available. All dishes are prepared in Coconut oil (it is full of flavors and healthy too. Check https://www.healthambition.com/150-uses-coconut-oil/ to know more), with the perfect blend of spices, herbs and the flavorful curryleaves. Alleppey is a beautiful region with many lakes and abundant seafood. Fleet of ducks in the farms and lakes are a common sight there. This Kuttanadan Special Tharavu Roast is one of my special recipe gifts for you, in this season of sharing and special family time! Entertain in style and savour all the exotic dishes. Create your Perfect festive meal from my exotic recipe collection, like Mutton stew, Veal stew, Fish Molee,Beef Ularthiyathu, Liver fry, Kerala Beef Pepper FryPork Pepper roast,  Pork Curry, Thalassery Mutton BiriyaniThalassery Chicken Biriyani, or Tandoori chicken, Wishing you a joyful festive season!!

Time: 30  mts
Serves: 5

Ingredients

Duck / Tharavu with skin: 1.5 kg
Onion: 3 nos
Garlic: 10-15 cloves
Ginger: 2’ piece
Curry leaves: 4 sprigs
Green Chilly: 8 nos.
Tomato: 2 nos.
Red Chilly Pdr: 1 tsp
Coriander Pdr: 2 tbsp
Turmeric Pdr: 1 tsp
Pepper pdr: 2 ½ tsp
Garam Masala Pdr: 1 tsp
Perumjeerah (Fennel seed) Powder: ½ tsp
Cardamom (Elakka)Powder: ½ tsp

Method

Clean the Tharavu/ Duck nicely. (This may consume much time if the feathers are not properly taken out of the skin). Cut the Tharavu into medium big pieces. Marinate with salt and little Turmeric powder. Slice Onions thinly, crush ginger and garlic. Heat coconut oil in a Pressure cooker, add onion, slit green chillies and curry leaves and sauté. When limp, add crushed garlic, ginger and sauté. Add all the spice powders except Cardamom powder and sauté. Add chopped tomatoes and fry for another two minutes. Add the Duck pieces and mix well. Add enough salt and pressure cook for 5 minutes. Once the pressure is down, simmer the gravy after removing excess fat/ oil if any. (I always skim the fat, for health reasons, it is better do away with excess fat). When the gravy thickens, add the powdered Cardamom powder, mix well and take it off the flame. Serve hot.

Duck Roast Preperation

Duck Roast Preperation


Duck Roast Preperation

Duck Roast Preperation

Serve with:

Tharavu Roast/ Duck Roast is great with Rice. It can go with Appam or Idiyappam as well, but since it has little gravy, it is best served with Rice.

Tips:

  • Green chilly should be medium spicy. If it is too hot, add less.
  • The spice measure mentioned here is medium spicy, if you want it spicier please increase the Chilly powder.
  • If there is excess fat, it should be removed after cooking. Just remove the top layer of clear fat/ oil from the gravy.
  • Coconut oil should be used for authentic flavors. It compliments all other ingredients to give you the perfect Kuttanadan Duck Roast. To know how Coconut oil benefits your health check: https://www.healthambition.com/150-uses-coconut-oil/ .
  • Duck should be cooked with skin to add to the taste.
  • Check my Duck Pepper Fry recipe, if you prefer dry Tharavu Roast.

Please try and let me know if you like it. If you like my Duck Roast recipe, please share it with your friends and let me know through comments. God Bless!!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Sharing is Caring!

Share this recipe with your friends!