KUALA LUMPUR: Making dodol is no easy task. It requires good arm strength, consistency and lots of patience. Churning out a small batch of this palm sugar-based treat takes a lot of time.
To many, making dodol is a tedious process. But that's not the case for Izyan Syazwani Mohamad, 33, who works in the corporate communications sector. For Izyan, or Izy as she is known among her friends and family, making dodol is task she looks forward to during Ramadan.
Izy, who is from Nilai, Negri Sembilan, said that although making dodol required simple ingredients such as palm sugar and fresh coconut milk, the process of making it took loads of attention.
"You have to keep stirring your ingredients in a large pot slowly until the sugar and the coconut milk start to change colour and consistency," said the youngest of four siblings.
Last year, the boys in her kampung decided to make dodol at her house and the experience was a great workout for them. It took the entire kampung to make one pot of the sweet delight.
"The boys take turns to stir the dodol. You need strong hands and arms for you to stir the mixture until it starts to harden.
"It takes three to four hours to make. Once done, we let it cool before packing it into smaller containers to be distributed to all involved and our neighbours."
She said one of the best things about making your own dodol is being able to see it transform. She likes her dodol slightly runny, unlike the tougher ones you get from the market.
"I call it dodol cair. You usually find this variation of dodol if you travel through Kuala Pilah," she said, adding that her family would not miss out on making dodol during Ramadan.
But as time passed, her aunt's children took over the tradition of making dodol.
"Although it takes forever to stir the dodol into shape, I love being part of the process. I get to hang out with my family and friends."
As she lives with her father, she will not join the balik kampung exodus. Instead, she will make her favourite kuih tunjuk.
"I'm bad at baking, actually. But the Movement Control Order made me realise that I could bake something out of my oven. I can make pretty good scones now."
As with previous Raya celebrations, Izy gets up early on the first day of Syawal to perform prayers with her father.
"We get emotional sometimes… because this is one of those rare moments when I see my dad turn sad as he recites prayers at my late mother's grave."
Later, she and her dad will head home to feast on rendang and kuah kacang. After that, she will hand out duit raya to her dad, sibling and visit nephews and nieces.
"Since my dad is one of the few surviving elders in my family, everyone will come over. The first day of Raya is very busy for us. Some of us will be in the kitchen all day preparing and cooking more food."
