Kitchen Products
A skillet is called as the Tawa (in Hindi) or Penam (in Telugu). A Tawa is usually circular, with a flat or slightly concave cooking surface. Some Tawas have a small wall around the circular surface. Different types of Tawas are used for making different varieties of food items like chapattis, pancakes, parathas, rotis, dosas, utappams, pesarattu (a type of dosa specific to Andhra Pradesh), omelettes etc.
The traditional Tawas were made of iron and were quite heavy. Some of them had a wooden handle to hold them, so it was easy to move this heavy device to and from the stove easily, especially when it was hot.
Tawas are made of thick iron or aluminium. Some are available with handles. Teflon-coated (non-stick) Tawas are extremely popular nowadays as very little oil is required while cooking. They are lighter and are rapidly replacing the traditional Tawas as they are easier to use and maintain. Though there is ease of usage with the non-stick Tawa, the iron Tawa is considered a healthier option while cooking on a daily basis.
Non-stick / teflon coated tawa
Unni appam pan:
This is a traditional iron Tawa or pan - but with 7 small cup-like depressions and may have handles. The depressions hold the batter, and this pan is used to cook a South Indian breakfast called “Ponganalu” or “Unni appams”. These are available in the non-stick variety too and are much lighter than the iron ones.
Non-stick / teflon coated unniappam pan
