Before the berries appear, the plant produces small, white, star-shaped flowers with yellow centres. The berries develop from these flowers. When the plant is fruiting, numerous clusters cover the branches. Even a single plant in a home garden can produce so many berries that it looks more like a nursery or farm crop.
Turkey Berry Nutrients and Benefits
A traditional fruit that has been valued
and used for generations, Turkey Berry contains nutrients including protein,
dietary fibre and important minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium and
magnesium. It also contains vitamin C, which supports the immune system and
helps the body absorb iron (PETAI/STINK BEANS HEALTH BENEFITS).
Turkey Berry contains natural plant compounds, including phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties. The fibre supports healthy digestion, while the minerals contribute to important functions in the body, including maintaining healthy bones, muscles and blood cells. Its natural antioxidants may also help protect cells from oxidative stress.
How to Grow Turkey Berry
One of the easiest plants to grow, all
that is needed are some seeds or a single Turkey Berry fruit. Plant the seeds
in a pot with soil or directly in the ground, and the plant will grow. The
plant can also be bought from nurseries and online. They are generally
affordable.
Turkey Berry thrives in hot weather and grows well with plenty of sunlight. Regular watering is essential, and the plant benefits from fertiliser every now and then. It can grow quite tall and spread out, so give it enough space to grow. To keep it short and manageable, regular pruning is needed. Turkey Berry can also be grown from stem cuttings.
Sun-Drying Turkey Berry
Turkey Berry can also be sun-dried for
later use. Wash the berries, drain them well and spread them in a single layer
on a clean tray. Place them under direct sunlight in a clean, dry area and turn
them occasionally so they dry evenly. Bring them indoors at night and continue
drying until they are completely dry. Store them in an airtight container. For
convenience, dried turkey berries can be bought from Indian grocery stores, and
they are affordable.
How to Cook Turkey Berries
The bitterness of turkey berries can be
overwhelming for some, while for others, it is fine. To mellow the bitterness
of fresh turkey berries, lightly press them to remove the seeds before cooking.
Dried turkey berries can be soaked and rinsed a couple of times to reduce the
bitterness. For both fresh and dried turkey berries, sugar can be added while
cooking. It is best to use young, green berries for cooking.
Turkey Berry recipes are suitable for vegetarians as well. Simply create a vegetarian recipe or adapt a non-vegetarian recipe by omitting the non-vegetarian ingredients or substituting them with suitable vegetarian ingredients.
Turkey Berry Recipes
Raw Salad
Turkey berry can be eaten raw or alongside other raw vegetables such as cucumber, cabbage and salad leaves. It can be dipped in a spicy, sweet sauce, such as tamarind chutney. For Malaysians, the usual choice would be sambal belacan (MALAYSIAN DRY SAMBAL).
Turkey Berry/Sundakkai Curry (sun-dried or fresh berries)
Ingredients
1 packet fresh turkey berries
Chilli powder - per tase
1
tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
½
tsp garam masala
1 large red onion - chopped
2 tomatoes - sliced
Some curry leaves
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
Palm sugar - per taste
Tamarind juice - per taste
Water - as needed
3 tbsp oil
1 tbsp gingerly oil (optional)
Salt to taste
Method:
Heat oil, add ginger paste, garlic paste
and onion.
Sauté to soften onions.
Add fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, tomatoes and chili powder, cook till oil
separates.
Add turkey berries and stir for 1 minute.
Pour water and simmer.
Season with palm sugar, salt, tamarind juice and garam masala.
Stir, simmer for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat and stir in gingerly oil.
Ingredients
1 cup turkey berries
2 tbsp dried shrimps - soaked and drained (omit for vegetarian version)
2 red chilies - sliced
4 shallots - sliced
1 tsp taucu (fermented soy bean paste)
½ tbsp sweet soy sauce
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp water
Salt - to taste
Calamansi lime juice - to taste
Method:
Heat oil, fry dried shrimps until crispy.
Remove and set aside.
In the same oil, sauté chilies and shallots.
Add turkey berries and stir.
Add taucu, sweet soy sauce, water, and salt.
Stir to combine.
Cook berries to a preferred texture.
Add fried shrimps and calamansi lime juice.
Stir and dish out.
