By Sushmita Sengupta
Plastic chutney is a Bengali side dish, which is essentially a raw papaya chutney, with a glossy texture and finish like ‘plastic’. Here’s how to make it.
1 cup shredded raw papaya 1 cup of water 1 ½ cups of sugar 2 tbsp lime juice 7-8 raisins 8-9 cashews 1 tsp Panch Phoron 1 bay leaf 1 dried red chilli 1 tsp roasted cumin powder Mustard oil to cook Salt to taste
Heat oil in a pan. Bring flame to medium. Add red chillies and panch phoron. Sautee for a minute.
Now add the papaya, sautee for 2-3 minutes and pour water. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes on low flame until water reduces. Do not let it dry.
Once the papaya is ‘glossy’ and cooked, add salt, sugar, raisins and cashews. Mix everything well and close lid.
Once the water soaks up, add roasted jeera and lime juice and mix. Your chutney is ready, let it dry and serve.