Sugarcane take centre stage

Taste

Sugarcanes, loaded with sugar, energy and essential nutrients are a healthy past time for the children and youth, but those with complaints of diabetes should take caution, writes Gayathri V Raj

The prices of rice and dhals and other items coming down a little has brought cheers among the people, especially among the homemakers with the popular Sankranti festival to be celebrated on January 15.

Sugarcane and Sankranti are almost synonymous and with the festival falling on Sunday, loads of sugarcane are seen dumped at vantage points, which is abuzz with activity usually during the festivals.

The sugarcanes with bright purple and green combo with a minimum of seven to eight feet length standing majestically dotting the main roads is so tempting that the customer is seen ending up buying pairs of them. Removing the outer hard covering with the teeth, is quite an exercise but chewing on the flesh and savouring a splash of juice is worth all the effort.

Moreover, the bottom part of the cane is more sweeter and tastier says Arun, who longs to feast on the sugarcanes which are available once in a year during Sankranti or Pongal festival.

Though canes are available all through the year, it is used only for crushing and extracting juice and cannot be eaten as it is very tough.

It is a favourite past time for the children, who after feasting the sweet pongals and vadas settle in front of the houses chewing the cane, giving a break to their mischiefs.

As it is a custom in this part of the country to distribute the famous ellu which is called ‘ellu beerodu’, it is never given without a portion of the sugarcane.

A vendor Narayanappa, who was busy unloading sugarcane from a lorry said majority of the sugarcanes are brought from Mandya district, which is said to be the ‘sugar bowl’ of the state.

While, the ongoing tussle between the sugarcane growers and the factory managements never seems to see the light of the day, the farmers are a bit diverted from the problem and are ensuring the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour.

The festival, which is said to be celebrated to thank the nature and the farmers still retain the authentic touch in the rural areas, whereas it has become just a ritual in cities.

But sugarcanes are a hot favourites this festival and is being sold at Rs....... So, it is the time to chew sugarcane and munch the favourite ellu and celebrate pongal.