Made with fresh rice of the first harvest to signify the end of the winter solstice, Ponggal rice is offered to gods and goddesses before sharing with family and friends.

Many kampung folks catch freshwater fish as a cheap source of protein, and pekasam is a way of fermenting a glut of a catch.

Sayaka’s grandmother made this dish often for the family, serving it straight from the pot to save time on washing up.