Ketupat

Ketupat (not to be confused with Lontong) is a type of dumpling from Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines (where it is known by the name "Patupat" in Kapampangan. "Puso" in Cebuano, or "Ta'mu" in Tausug), made from rice that has been wrapped in a woven palm leaf pouch which is then boiled. As the rice cooks, the grains expand to fill the pouch and the rice becomes compressed. This method of cooking gives the "ketupat" its characteristic form and texture of a rice dumpling. "Ketupat" is usually eaten with "rendang" (a type of dry beef curry) or served as an accompaniment to satay. "Ketupat" is also traditionally served by Indonesians, Moros and Malays at open houses on festive occasions such as Idul Fitri (Hari Raya Aidilfitri). During Idul Fitri in Indonesia, "ketupat" is often served with chicken curry, accompanied with spicy soy powder. Among Filipinos, "puso" is also traditionally used as a "pabaon" or a mobile meal, traditionally brought by workers as a type of packed lunch, served with any selection of stews.

There are many varieties of "ketupat", with two of the more common ones being "ketupat nasi" and "ketupat pulut". "Ketupat nasi" is made from white rice and is wrapped in a square shape with coconut palm leaves while "ketupat pulut" is made from glutinous rice is usually wrapped in a triangular shape using the leaves of the fan palm ("Licuala"). "Ketupat pulut" is also called "ketupat daun palas" in Malaysia.

In Indonesia, "ketupat" sometimes boiled in thin coconut milk and spices to enhance the taste.

Local stories passed down through the generations have attributed the creation of this style of rice preparation to the seafarers' need to keep cooked rice from spoiling during long sea voyages. The coco leaves used in wrapping the rice are always shaped into a triangular form and stored hanging in bunches in the open air. The shape of the package facilitates moisture to drip away from the cooked rice while the coco leaves allow the rice to be aerated and at the same time prevent flies and insects from touching it.