Recalling my memories back to the late 90's early 2000's when people would sell pretty much everything around the neighborhood; on cart, bike, or on a yoke that they carry on their shoulders. Out of any commodities that I could think of, there was this one that stood out; very particular in the way it sounded approaching the street. While others use human voice or vibration from an object getting hit, 'Putu' used a whistle. Quite distinctive I have to say.
Sometime later; in this case 20 years; in 2021 the year where if you've seen life enough you won't be hopeful either because all the world had to offer was disappointment, and that... is guaranteed. I wonder why this article got so dark real quick in the second paragraph.
Yes, 2021. It was a post-rain afternoon and we were pretty much at home for the whole day when suddenly that whistle, that particular whistle sound was in my ear. I assumed it was just a random high pitched noise that we all heard every once in a while. But then it entered the scene in crescendo and I knew by then, it wasn't just a whistle. I could not believe it came back after years of absence, I mean YEARS.
It was a man-pushed cart with the classic steam box and several holes that are plugged so that the steam escaped through the only one designated tube equipped with whistle, and became quiet when it all got unplugged for steaming. They used bamboo tubes as the container for steaming process.
Putu was made from rice flour; coloured using pandan leaf; with palm sugar in the middle, and sprinkled shredded coconut that also served as serving aesthetic and texture too; love those.
The man would put 3/4 palm size bamboo tube of green rice flour, then half tablespoon of palm sugar, and sealed with green rice flour. Onto the steam holes it went until it all becomes firm. Then comes the most oddly satisfying part when he would push them all out of the tube using a stick with rubber; kinda like a flat plunger; on its tip. I could watch this all day. It was then finished with shredded coconut, and there you have it. A little piece of heaven that our ancestor somehow invented.
I could not believe that the taste didn't change much. The best part was still the palm sugar. It exudes quite a strong pandan aroma when it's hot; and I recommend having it while it's hot always for a slight melting palm sugar #screaminginternally.
As I traveled the world and met people, putu had a pretty long story with many varieties by places. There are 5 types in Indonesia on its own, Putu Piring in the Malay peninsula, and Putu Mayang/Mayam/Iddiyapam that was made from rice noodle found in Kerala, Malaysia, and Indonesia. There's also Puto (if you speak Spanish you know something's wrong) in the Philippines.
I guess it'll be pretty cool if GRAMUS can do a whole series on Putu, considering its universality and I guess there's a pretty deep story behind it. But until then, here's to the glory days of street food roaming around the neighborhood!
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