Kerala is a coastal state located in the Southern part of India. It is known for its mesmerizing backwaters, lush green landscapes, and enchanting culture.
One thing that makes Kerala a favorite holiday destination is its diverse cuisine. Kerala has a rich culinary legacy, and its food has been influenced by different cultures over hundreds of years.
Kerala’s traditional cuisine is known for its spicy flavors and unique use of coconut in almost all dishes. The main ingredients used in most dishes are rice, coconut, and spices like cardamom, cloves, pepper, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, coriander powder etc. Some popular dishes include Idli (steamed rice cakes), Dosa (rice pancake), Appam (rice pancakes with sweet or savory fillings), Puttu (steamed cylindrical cake made from steamed layers of ground rice flour) and many more.
The most famous traditional food of Kerala is the Sadya meal which comprises of boiled rice served with a variety of side dishes including aviyal (a mix of vegetables made with yogurt), sambar (a lentil-based stew flavored with tamarind and mild spices), rasam (a thin soup flavored with tamarind juice and spices) , thoran (chopped vegetables sautéed in coconut oil), kaalan (a dish made from yogurt and vegetable curry) , pachadi (a dish made from grated cucumber cooked in yogurt) , olan ( a dish prepared with white pumpkin and black-eyed peas cooked in coconut milk), pickle etc.
The Side Dishes are what makes the Sadya meal truly special. They are served as accompaniments to the main course dishes such as appam or idiyappam. These side dishes can range from simple stir-fried vegetables to more complex curries such as the Erissery or the Avial which utilize a variety of fresh veggies like carrots, beans and plantains cooked along with grated coconut!
Banana Chips are also an important part of any traditional Kerala meal. These crunchy deep-fried chips made from unripe bananas can be served as an accompaniment to any Indian meal or enjoyed on their own as a snack!
Payasam, also known as Kheer in other parts of India, is an important dessert item typically served at the end of any traditional Kerala meal. Payasam is usually prepared using milk boiled along with sugar, raisins and cardamom powder until it thickens into a creamy consistency!
Kerala’s cuisine is known for its abundance of spices and flavors that tantalize your taste buds! From delicious breakfast items like Idli & Dosa to mouthwatering curries & side dishes like Avial & Erissery to sweet desserts like Payasam – Kerala has something for everyone!
In conclusion, what makes the famous traditional food of Kerala so special is its diversity – ranging from simple breakfasts to elaborate meals – as well as its unique use of spices & coconuts in every dish that make it truly unique to this region!