Payasam is an essential part of any traditional sadya, whether it's for Onam, weddings, or other special occasions. This sweet and delicious dessert can be made using a variety of ingredients like rice, wheat, small grains, pulses, vermicelli, peas, banana, jackfruit, mango, and even pineapple. Basic ingredients often include cow’s milk, jaggery, coconut milk, cardamom, cashews, raisins, water, and ghee. For a unique twist, vegetables like pumpkin, ash gourd, and even bitter gourd can be used to create this delightful dish.

In recent times, raw or uncooked dishes have gained popularity for their taste and nutritional value. Here are two easy, no-cook payasam recipes that can be prepared in a matter of minutes:

Robusta banana payasam
Ingredients
2 ripe robusta bananas
Jaggery powder (as required)
1 cup coconut milk
2 cardamom pods (powdered)
6 raisins (split in half)
A pinch of salt

Preparation
Peel the bananas and mash them well in a bowl
Add coconut milk, jaggery powder, and cardamom powder to the mashed bananas
Mix everything well
Add a pinch of salt if required.

Papaya payasam
Ingredients
2 kg ripe papayas
Milk from 2 coconuts (first and second extracts)
200 gm jaggery powder
10 raisins (split in half, seedless)

Preparation
Peel the papayas and remove the seeds
Cut the papayas into small pieces
Add the second extract of coconut milk to the papayas and mash them well
In another bowl, mix jaggery powder and cardamom powder into the first extract of coconut milk
Pour this mixture into the mashed papayas and mix well.

Your delicious no-cook payasams are ready to serve!

(The writer is the Superintendent of Oushadhi Panchakarma Hospital and Research Institute, Thrissur.)

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