Roasted unripe sitaphal remains a seasonal delicacy in rural Medak

Medak: Come winter, fruit lovers never miss an opportunity to taste the seasonal custard apple, popularly known as sitaphal, a fruit with several health benefits. However, people in rural parts of Telangana, particularly Medak district, also consume unripe sitaphal by roasting it over a wood fire.

Unlike ripe custard apples, which are sweet and creamy, the roasted version is relatively less sweet because the fruit is unripe. However, roasting it over a wood fire gives the fruit a unique taste that villagers relish during the season.

Speaking to Telangana Today, S Paramesh, a native of Ramayampet, said the charred, earthy taste was part of an age-old culinary tradition passed down through generations.

Villagers in Ramayampet, Narsapur, Kowdipally, Kulcharam, Nizampet, Havelighanpur and a few other places find custard apples growing abundantly in the wild during the season. Whenever they venture deep into the forest while grazing cattle or engaging in agricultural activities, farmers gather the fruits, roast them over a wood fire and relish their taste amid nature.

People in the region continue to follow this practice. People from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana travel to Ramayampet and Narsapur, known as hubs for custard apples, to buy the fruits, which are grown organically. These fruits are also transported to various parts of the country.