Swan Puka facts for kids
Swan Pukā is a special and tasty dish from the Newar culture in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Its name, in the Newari language, is स्वँपुका, which means "lung fried." This unique food is made from goat's lungs. They are carefully filled with a spicy mix, then boiled, cut into slices, and finally fried until they are delicious.
People traditionally enjoy Swan Pukā at big celebrations and special meals, like feasts. It's often served after the main part of the meal but before dessert. Nowadays, you can find Swan Pukā as a popular item on the menu in many local restaurants and even fancy places.
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How is Swan Pukā Made?
Making Swan Pukā is a detailed process that ensures it tastes great.
Preparing the Lungs
First, the goat's lungs are prepared. A special spicy batter, which is a thick liquid mixture, is carefully put inside the lungs. This is done through the windpipe, which is like a tube.
Filling the Lungs with Batter
To get the batter inside, people use a pump or squeeze a small plastic bag filled with the mixture into the windpipe's opening. As the batter goes in, the lungs are gently patted. This helps the batter spread out evenly and fill the lungs completely.
Cooking and Serving Swan Pukā
Once the lungs are full and can't hold any more batter, the end of the windpipe is folded over. It's then tied tightly with a piece of string. This stops the spicy filling from spilling out during cooking. Next, the filled lungs are boiled until they are cooked through. After boiling, they are sliced into pieces. Finally, these slices are pan-fried until they are golden and ready to be enjoyed!