Rare Fruit @ Negeri Sembilan : Kadam

Botany

Hodgsonia macrocarpa ( kadam, lardfruit ) is a fast-growing, evergreen climbing plant with tendrils.  The plant produces large, edible seeds that are very rich in oil, thus the name lard seed. 

The fruit is fibrous, about the size of a coconut.  Each fruit contains up to 8 large flat seeds.  

Range

Native to tropical South East Asia, ranging from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia to Indochina.

It is usually grown wild by the riverbanks of primary, disturbed forest, and forest fringes.

 

Food

The seeds are often roasted or baked, has a pleasant taste.  Seeds are often crushed and cooked with vegetables.  

In district of Gemencheh and Johol of Negeri Sembilan, the seeds are grated and kneaded with rice flour and limestone paste ( kapur sirih ), wrapped in palm leaves ( daun palas ), and cooked in boiling water.