Raya is upon us and we thought we'd give you a little "how to" pictorial on making ketupat. It looks a little complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll be weaving ketupat like a pro! Go on and give it a try.



Step1: Weave the leaf on your right hand into the one on your left in an alternating fashion. Keep holding on to the leaves as you do this. This step takes the most getting used to; concentrate on getting the hang of it.

Step 2: Once done, it should resemble the photo.

Step 3: Take the narrow end of the leaf and weave it upwards, keeping to the alternating pattern. Once you get to the top, take a left turn and keep weaving to that corner. (i.e. weave along two sides of the ketupat)

Step 4: Turn the ketupat around. Repeat the previous step of going up and to the left. (i.e. weave along the other two sides of the ketupat) The narrow ends should now be at the same corner.

Step 5: Take one of the wide ends and weave towards the corner opposite the one with the narrow ends. (i.e. weave along one side)

Step 6: Repeat with the other wide end. (i.e. weave along the other one side) The wide ends should now be at the same corner, opposite from the corner with the narrow ends.

Step 7: Neaten the ketupat. Start by folding a small corner of the wide end and tucking it like a hook into the corner. Carefully tug the leaf along its path.

Step 8: Do the same with the other wide end of the leaf - fold the end and hide it under a weave and tug it gently along its path. You will have to do this several times for both leaves.

And you're done!

To cook:



Step 1: Tie a few together like a grape bunch and trim the narrow ends neatly.

Step 2: Fill a third of the ketupat with washed and dried rice at the gap shown in the photo.

Step 3: Cook in a vat of boiling water until firm, at least 2 hours. The longer you cook it for, the longer it will last.

Enjoy with your favorite rendang and sambal kacang! Selamat Hari Raya!