Kerala is a south-western coastal state in India. It is referred to as “GOD’S OWN COUNTRY”. Kerala is undoubtedly a food lover’s paradise. Their cuisine is delicious, appetizing, scrumptious, yummy, and extremely heavenly. Here are some of the mouthwatering list of food items from Kerala:
1 Kappa and Fish Curry
It is one of the most popular food combinations in Kerala as well as a quintessential Kerala dish. The main ingredients tapioca shredded coconut and turmeric powder along with other side ingredients make it a super tasty dish. Tapioca known as “kappa” is dipped in spicy fish curry which is made of coconut milk, tomato, green chili, chili powder, and various spices. Tapioca is gluten free and easy to digest. The fiery red fish curry and tapioca combo is exotic and tasty.
2 Parotta and Beef
Parotta and beef is undoubtedly an emotion for Keralites. It is more than just a regular food item for them. There is nothing compared to it. You should try this wonderful and tasty combo atleast once in your lifetime. The beef is super yummy with ingredients like shredded coconut, roasted chilly, and black pepper. The hot and spicy beef fry would melt in your mouths. Parotta is made from refined flour. This dish is an absolute blessing for foodies.
3 Appam and Chicken Stew
Fluffy appams are every mallus go to dish on a hungry day. Easy to make, healthy, and incredibly tasty – this is something that all mallus absolutely adore. Coconut milk is the major ingredient. Kallappam is a variety of appam which is made with toddy as it’s main ingredient. Chicken stew is less spicy with more of a peppery flavour and it balances the combination. Appam and chicken stew made of creamy coconut milk is a light and yummy dish from Kerala that will leave your stomach and heart full.
4 Puttu and Kadala
There are different varieties of puttu – Rava puttu, Rice puttu, Gothambu puttu, Chiratta puttu, etc. Puttu is also known as steam cake. The aroma of the steam from the Bamboo puttu kudam leaves you asking for more. Puttu and Kadala combo is nutritious and appetizing. Puttu with ripe banana and sugar is finger licking. It is a classic mallu dish.
5. Idiyappam and Egg Curry
Idiyappam is a traditional breakfast dish in Kerala. Egg in roasted coconut gravy is a showstealer. Grated coconut is added in the idiyappam. Idiyappam is also known as Noolappam. Idiyappam is more like a traditional and extremely healthy version of noodles. Idiyappam and Egg curry combo is mandatory in every mallu food list.
6 Thalassery Dum Biryani
Thalassery dum biryani (The Malabar style biryani) has a fan base of it’s own. It’s delicious, spicy, flavourful, and tempting. Kaima rice is used for it’s preparation. The fried onions, cashews, etc. makes it a delight for food lovers. You can have it with spicy pickle and kachumber.This is a dish that you need to try for a yummy ride.
7 Kerala Sadhya
Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala. Onasadhya is one of the major attractions during Onam. Be it a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian , Onam without Onasadhya is unimaginable. It is one of the foremost delicacies of Kerala. There are almost 28 side dishes – Banana Chips, Sharkara Upperi, Moru, Pulissery, Pachadi, Kichadi, Sambar, Olan, Rasam, Thoran, Pulinji, Kootukari, Papad, and the list goes on. Rice and side dishes are served on a plantain leaf. Kerala sadhya ends with serving payasam on the plantain leaf . There are more than 10 varieties of payasam. Some of my favourite are – paal payasam, parippu payasam, ada payasam. If you’re visiting Kerala during Onam , never ever miss this toothsome treat.
8. Karimeen Pollichathu
It is a delicious fish fry recipe which includes Kashmiri chilli powder, pepper, turmeric, garlic, onion, squeezed lime, etc. It is very famous in the Alappuzha and Kuttanad region of Kerala. It has a very unique and spicy masala flavour. In Kuttanad, there are a lot of house boat services. When you stay in the house boat, they would catch fresh Karimeen (Pearl spot fish) and serve it for you. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Karimeen pollichathu is a favourite dish among
tourists too.
9 Ari Pathiri and Mutton Curry
Pathiri is a major dish in Muslim households. It is made of rice flour. It is popular among the Mappilas of North Malabar. It is very thin and soft in texture. When it is combined with mutton curry, it becomes a heavenly.Turmeric, chilli powder, cumin, ginger, onion, garlic, green chilly etc. are the spices used for preparing mutton curry. It can be garnished with
coriander leaves or curry leaves.
10. Kozhikoden Halwa
Kozhikode is known as the “land of food” in Kerala. The Kozhikoden halwa is a soft jelly like sweet which is available in different colours (black, orange, brown, yellow, green) and flavours. It is made of coconut oil, fruits, nuts, coconut, etc. It is a very famous sweet in Kerala and
is definitely worth a try.
11 Ela Ada (Steamed Rice Pancakes)
It is made of rice flour with a pinch of salt. Inside the ada, grated coconut is added along with melted jaggery and cardamom and is steamed in banana leaf. It can be served as an evening snack.This is a healthy dish as it is rich in protein and fibre. This is very simple and easy to
prepare.
12. Neyyappam
It is an immensely popular sweet dish in Kerala, loved by people of all ages. It’s crusty and chewy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. It will definitely become one of your favourite sweet dishes, if u give it a try. The main ingredients are rice soaked in water, wheat flour, grated coconut, jaggery, banana, etc. It is
fried in pure ghee.
13. Orotti
It is healthy & tasty, and when combined with chicken curry, it provides a gratifying experience. Grated coconut and rice flour are the main ingredients. It is a traditional Muslim bread to break your fast and has a thicker texture. Some might combine it with coconut milk.
14 Ney Pathiri
It is one of the basic dishes during Ramzan. It is also prepared as a breakfast or dinner recipe. Rice flour, coconut, onion, and cumin are the essential ingredients. It is deep fried in oil. It tastes brilliantly and is an amazing dish from Kerala.
15 Pazham Nirachathu
It is a traditional north malabar snack. It is normally served during Eid and Ramzan. Basically, banana is stuffed with grated coconut, nuts, cashews, sugar, and raisins. Kids absolutely love this snack.
16. Coconut Toddy/ Palm Wine
Kerala is known as “the land of coconut trees.” “Kera” meaning coconut tree and “alam” meaning land makes Kerala “the land of coconut trees.” Coconut Toddy is obtained from the sap of palm tree. Toddy shops serve palm wine along with side dishes like beef fry, kappa and fish, etc. Coconut Toddy is Kerala’s very very popular among foreigners.
17. Kallumakkaya
Kallumakkaya / mussel fry is one of the authentic dishes from North Kerala. The masala is prepared using onion, tomato, green chillies, ginger, garlic, turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander, fennel seeds, etc. This is one of the favourite mappila dishes. It can be called as a culinary masterpiece. Seafood lovers would definitely swoon over this dish.
18. Kanji and Payar
It is an exceptionally healthy dish from Kerala and is also known as rice porridge. It has countless health benefits. Kanji is easily digestible, keeps your energy levels high, and is rich in antioxidants. Coconut milk is added to it which makes Kanji extra delicious. Hot kanji with payar thoran, pickle, and papad is a healthy combination.
19. Thattu Dosa
It is a common street food in Kerala. It is soft and delicious. Unlike the big crispy dosa’s, these are cute small dosa’s which you can prepare easily at home. It is usually paired with chutney and sambar. Raw rice, idli rice, black gram, salt, and ghee are the major ingredients.
20. Aravana Prasadam
Sabarimala is one of the famous annual pilgrimage in the world. Aravana prasadam is a
famous prasad distributed at the very famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala. It is prepared using Kerala matta rice, ghee, dark brown jaggery, coconut, kalkandam, cardamom powder, dry ginger powder, etc. It is also known as neypayasam.
