KOTA KINABALU: Lemang, which is usually cooked over an open fire and traditionally served at Hari Raya, can now be made in a special oven created by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).

       Bamboo lemang usually takes four to seven hours to cook and requires close monitoring, but with the oven, it takes just one-and-a-half to two hours to cook.

       Not only does the oven save time, energy and cost, it is a solution to the bamboo scarcity.

       Meanwhile, Sabah Mardi has also started making and selling frozen lemang to the public.

       Sabah Mardi research officer Afni Ali said five of the special ovens are used to produce at least 55 sticks of lemang daily, with preparations starting as early as 9am.

       “One oven can fit 10 hollow stainless steel rods of lemang. The lemang is cooked using a gas stove and the temperature is controlled to ensure it cooks evenly,” he told Bernama.

       Afni said the ingredients, such as glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar and salt, are still the same, and even the rods are lined with banana leaves to maintain the original taste and aroma.

       She said Sabah Mardi started producing frozen lemang last year, and due to demand, is continuing the initiative this year.

       “This frozen lemang is our best-selling product and is in high demand during Ramadan. The feedback has been very good.

       “Some customers say the frozen lemang has a better taste; it is creamy, soft and tastes no different from lemang cooked in bamboo.”

       Afni said they have sold more than 500 packs of frozen lemang so far and are preparing 200 more. The orders come from government departments and hotels.

       Meanwhile, Sabah Mardi director Helda Souki said they are planning to sell 1,400 packs of frozen lemang here.

       She said they are being sold by the Kota Kinabalu Mardi Fund at RM13 per 1kg pack, and dodol too, for the same price.

       Anyone interested in buying the frozen lemang and dodol can visit the Sabah Mardi office or call 088-490 148.

       She also expressed hope that the special oven will attract the interest of local entrepreneurs.