KERALA – Poshan Maah – 28 Days, 28 States

The history of the cuisine of Kerala trails back to its trade of spices with European civilizations; making it a Land of Spices. Foreign influence on the cuisine of Kerala is marked, by each religion from Muslims to Syrian Christians developing their own cuisine and style of preparation. Inspired by a fusion of Malabari, French, and Arabian influences and enhanced with a touch of Kerala’s unique culture, each dish in the state is an experience in itself. The cuisine here caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, in which the latter is prepared with a variety of items like fish, poultry, and red meat.

Rice, fish, and coconut are the most common ingredients of almost all famous food from Kerala. The flavours are enhanced with chillies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric tamarind, black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, cinnamon, and asafoetida.

Here are some of the most popular dishes that Kerala is famed for:

MALABAR PAROTTA: Layered flatbread that originated in the Malabar region called Parotta is made by kneading maida (plain flour), egg (in some recipes), oil or ghee, and water. The dough is beaten and later shaped into a spiral with thin layers. The ball is rolled flat and roasted into a Parotta with ghee. This is then eaten with beef curry – pieces of beef simmered in a curry made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and star anise.

PAYASAM: A delicacy amid the main food of Kerala that’s now won the hearts of foodies all over the country, Palada Payasam is a sweet rice kheer prepared with palada. The dish is usually prepared and served during auspicious occasions and festivals like Onam. Among the many varieties of payasam, Palada Payasam is the most popular and is made out of basic ingredients like rice ada, milk, sugar, and ghee.

PUTTU KADALA: This is a breakfast staple eaten all over the state. Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake cooked in a mold with grated coconut. It’s usually served with kadala curry, a dish of black chickpeas made with shallots, spices, and coconut milk, that can also be served with ripe bananas and grated coconut.

IDIYAPPAM: One of the famous dishes of Kerala is Idiyappam which is relished by most people. Also known as Noolappam in Kerala cuisine, Idiyappam, the food of Kerala, is made of rice flour, salt, and water with a number of thin strands or sevai entwined together to make the lovely texture that this dish bears. It is this texture that makes it versatile. It tastes best with Egg Curry.

PARIPPU CURRY: It is a Dal Curry served in Kerala and is made from small gram or moong dal, and ghee with a considerable amount of spices and chillies.

KARIMEEN KARI: This is one of Kerala’s traditional delicacies. Karimeen or pearl spot fish is a speckled fish commonly found in the backwaters of this state. This is traditionally a Syrian Christian delicacy but has become part of Kerala’s rich cuisine. Pearl spot fish is marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, red chillies, and other ingredients, wrapped and baked in plantain leaves, giving it a unique flavour.

ELA SADYA: Ela Sadya is one of the finest meals which is incorporated in traditional Kerala dishes whose aroma will water your mouth. Ela Sadya is the king of all Kerala food items! With more options than you would ever have seen on your platter, Sadya is prepared and served during religious and ceremonial occasions like festivals, weddings, and more. This royal lunch combination of dishes like pachadi, kichadi, pulissery, olan, sambar, varavu, thoran, aviyal, payasam, served with hot steaming rice on a banana leaf is a must-try.

ERISSERY OR PUMPKIN AND LENTIL CURRY:
This is a popular curry in Kerala, made from either raw plantains or sliced yams. It also usually includes a slightly sweet pumpkin that has been boiled in water with salt, chillies or pepper, dried lentils, grated coconut, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and garlic, served on a bed of rice. It appears on most menus at religious festivals like Onam.

So, for all those who thought Kerala food is all about idlis and dosas, you are definitely in for a surprise! Kerala cuisine has one of the best culinary experiences in India with a vast variety to dive into.