Holiday Ayo - Kolak is a typical Indonesian food that uses the basic ingredients of bananas, sweet potatoes to kolang kaling boiled with coconut milk.

Foods that have a sweet, legit, and refreshing taste are often found throughout the month of Ramadan.

Behind the sweet taste, it turns out that there is a meaning and history that is quite interesting to discuss.

According to the historian and author of the book Jejak Rasa Nusantara: The History of Indonesian Food, Fadly Rahman, the word kolak probably comes from the word khalik which means the Creator.

Kolak also comes from the word 'khala' in Arabic, which means empty.

The meaning is that human beings and Muslims should always repent to Allah and cleanse the sins that have been committed.

Many historians refer to compote as a means to spread Islam in the past. At that time, the Javanese people did not know Islam well.

So that the scholars try to consult in a simple way so that people can understand Islam. The easy and simple way at that time would be better understood by the Indonesian people related to food.

The dish, which contains bananas and sweet potatoes, is called Kolak because it aims to get closer to the creator.

Initially, the compote was only served during the month of Ruwah. Then the sweet dish continues until the month of Ramadan.

In addition, the ingredients for making kolak are easily found throughout Indonesia. This makes compote a dish that blends local culture and the spread of Islam.

The banana ingredient refers to the word "kapok" in Javanese which means deterrent. This reminds people to be deterred from sinning and repent to God.

Then there is the sweet potato ingredient which in Javanese is known as "telo pendem", which means to bury mistakes deeply.

In addition, coconut milk in Javanese is called "santen" which is short for "pangapunten" or an apology.

Along with the times, the compote dish is increasingly varied in terms of filling. Even so, kolak remains a favorite takjil icon for many people during the month of Ramadan.

This is also one of the traditional foods typical of the West Sumatra region. In addition to of kolak seeds, typical food of West Java called kolak banana.

The basic ingredients are bananas or sweet potatoes boiled with coconut milk and palm sugar. The banana used is the kepok banana (kapok).

It's also quite easy to make your own, you only need coconut milk, brown sugar, plus the filling, which is usually adjusted to taste.

But generally, the contents kolak of consist of bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, kolang-kaling, or pumpkin.

The sugar content in kolak is powerful enough to restore lost energy after a day of fasting. It's no wonder that compote is a favorite dish for many people.