Mukkani Payasam
Mukkani Payasam – A delicious traditional Tamil New Year Dessert with Mango, Banana & Jackfruit
Mukkani Payasam is a unique and flavorful South Indian dessert made with Mukkani—the three sacred fruits of Tamil culture: mango, banana, and jackfruit. These fruits hold a special place in Tamil traditions, often symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and the essence of tropical bounty. Mukkani Payasam is especially cherished during Tamil Puthandu (Tamil New Year), as it brings together both culinary heritage and seasonal freshness.
In Tamil, “Mukkani” translates to “three fruits”—maa (mango),Vaazhaipazham (banana), and palaa (jackfruit). Each of these fruits is considered auspicious, and when combined, they create a payasam that’s rich, aromatic, and naturally sweet. Traditionally, these fruits are abundant in summer, making them ideal for celebrating the New Year, which falls in mid-April.
Tamil New Year is a time for renewal, gratitude, and festive cooking. Dishes prepared on this day are not just about taste but also about symbolism—sweetness for good times ahead, richness for prosperity, and local ingredients to honor the earth. Mukkani Payasam beautifully fits this spirit. It’s a dish that speaks of home, harvest, and happiness.
The recipe is quite simple yet packed with flavor. Ripe mango, banana, and jackfruit are pureed or chopped pressure cooked along with moong dal and simmered in coconut milk or regular milk, sweetened with jaggery or sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron .The fruits naturally thicken the payasam and infuse it with layers of tropical goodness.
Unlike other traditional Indian sweets that are heavily loaded with refined sugar, Mukkani Payasam gets most of its sweetness from fruits and jaggery. It’s also a great way to introduce kids and guests to natural fruit-based desserts during festivals.
Serve it warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Garnish with roasted nuts and a drizzle of ghee for that festive touch. It pairs beautifully with a traditional Tamil New Year lunch spread.Check out the recipe below.
Ingredients
Moong dal -1/2 cup
Ripe Mango-1/2 cup chopped
Jackfruit -1/2 cup chopped
Banana -1/2 cup chopped
Powdered Jaggery -3/4 cup
Coconut Milk -1 cup
Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Saffron -few
Cashews -few
Raisins-few
Ghee-2 tbsps
Recipe Video
Method
👉Heat a tsp of ghee in a pressure cooker add washed moong dal and roast for a minute in medium flame.
👉To this add chopped mango, jackfruit, banana and mix well.
👉Add 1 1/2 cups of water and pressure cooker for 4 whistles, switch off the gas and allow pressure to subside completely.
👉Now open the cooker and mash the dal and fruits lightly and again switch on the gas .
👉Now add powdered jaggery and mix well.
👉Boil the payasam for 5 minutes until it thickens .
👉Add cardamom powder, saffron and coconut milk mix well and boil for 2 minutes.
👉Add cashews and raisins fried in ghee mix well and switch off the gas.
👉Serve .
Total Preparation Time-20 minutes
Serves-4-5