Traditional Food of Kerala

Traditional Food of Kerala: Kerala, often referred to as “God’s Own Country,” is not only known for its enchanting backwaters and lush green landscapes but also for its exquisite traditional cuisine. The traditional food of Kerala is a delightful fusion of flavors, with a focus on coconut, spices, and locally sourced ingredients. In this blog, we will explore the culinary wonders of Kerala, including its traditional dishes, the top 10 foods to try, and a list of 22 famous Kerala food and dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.

What is the Traditional Food of Kerala?

The traditional food of Kerala is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage and natural abundance. Kerala cuisine is characterized by the use of coconut in various forms, such as coconut milk, grated coconut, and coconut oil. Spices like black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon are integral to Kerala’s culinary traditions. Seafood, rice, and an array of tropical fruits and vegetables also play a significant role in Kerala’s traditional dishes.

Traditional Dishes of Kerala

Kerala boasts a wide array of traditional dishes that are cherished by locals and celebrated by food enthusiasts worldwide. Here are some traditional dishes of Kerala that showcase the rich flavors and culinary traditions of the region:

1. Kerala Sadya:
   • A grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring a variety of dishes like sambar, avial, olan, thoran, rasam, and payasam. It’s often served on special occasions and festivals.
2. Appam with Stew:
   • Soft, lacy rice pancakes (appam) served with a creamy and mildly spiced vegetable stew, often made with coconut milk.
3. Karimeen Pollichathu:
   • Pearl spot fish marinated in a blend of spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled to perfection. It’s a quintessential Kerala seafood delicacy.
4. Puttu and Kadala Curry:
   • Steamed cylindrical rice cakes (puttu) paired with a flavorful black chickpea curry (kadala curry).
5. Meen Curry (Fish Curry):
   • A tangy and spicy fish curry made with tamarind, coconut milk, and an aromatic blend of spices.
6. Idiyappam:
   • Delicate rice noodles steamed to perfection and typically served with coconut milk or spicy curry.
7. Kerala Parotta with Chicken Curry:
   • Layers of flaky, crispy parotta bread served with a succulent chicken curry.
8. Thalassery Biriyani:
   • Fragrant and flavorful biriyani prepared with fragrant rice, spices, and succulent pieces of chicken, mutton, or fish. It’s a specialty of Thalassery in Kerala.
9. Payasam:
   • A variety of sweet, creamy desserts made with ingredients like rice, vermicelli, or lentils, flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.
10. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu:
    • Spicy and crispy deep-fried chicken, a favorite Kerala snack.

Culture of Kerala: History, Tradition, and Heritage

Top 10 Foods to Try in Kerala

Kerala’s culinary offerings promise a memorable and mouthwatering experience for food enthusiasts. These top 10 foods represent the diverse and delicious flavors of Kerala’s cuisine, showcasing the region’s love for spices, coconut, and locally sourced ingredients.

1. Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot Fish)
2. Kerala Sadya (Traditional Feast)
3. Appam with Stew (Rice Pancakes with Vegetable Stew)
4. Puttu and Kadala Curry (Steamed Rice Cakes with Chickpea Curry)
5. Meen Curry (Fish Curry)
6. Idiyappam (Steamed Rice Noodles)
7. Kerala Parotta with Chicken Curry (Layered Bread with Chicken Curry)
8. Thalassery Biriyani (Fragrant Rice Dish)
9. Payasam (Sweet Desserts)
10. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (Spicy Fried Chicken)

22 Famous Kerala Food and Dishes

Here’s a list of 22 famous Kerala food and dishes that you must try when visiting this beautiful state:

1. Kappa and Meen Curry:
   • Tapioca (kappa) served with spicy fish curry, a popular Kerala delicacy.
2. Erachi Varutharacha Curry:
   • Spicy meat curry made with roasted coconut and a blend of spices.
3. Avial:
   • A mixed vegetable dish cooked in a coconut and yogurt gravy, flavored with green chilies and curry leaves.
4. Kerala Beef Fry:
   • Spicy beef stir-fry made with tender pieces of beef and an array of spices.
5. Kerala Prawn Curry:
   • Spicy prawn curry made with coconut milk, tamarind, and traditional spices.
6. Kerala Chicken Curry:
   • Spicy chicken curry cooked in a coconut-based gravy, a staple in Kerala households.
7. Kerala Ghee Rice:
   • Fragrant rice cooked with ghee (clarified butter) and spices, often served with a side dish or curry.
8. Neyyappam:
   • Deep-fried rice fritters made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee.
9. Kerala Egg Curry:
   • Hard-boiled eggs cooked in a spicy and flavorful gravy.
10. Kerala Banana Chips:
    • Crispy and thin slices of raw banana deep-fried to perfection, a popular snack.
11. Kerala Fish Molee:
    • Fish stew cooked in coconut milk with mild spices and flavored with curry leaves.
12. Kerala Parippu Curry:
    • A simple and comforting dal curry made with yellow lentils, often served with rice.
13. Kerala Ulli Theeyal:
    • Shallots (small onions) cooked in a tangy and spicy coconut sauce.
14. Kerala Aviyal:
    • A mixed vegetable dish cooked with coconut and yogurt, a staple in Kerala’s Sadya (feast) menu.
15. Kerala Kalan:
    • A yogurt-based curry made with yam, raw banana, and coconut, seasoned with spices.
16. Kerala Kozhikodan Halwa:
    • A sweet dessert made from wheat, ghee, and jaggery, often flavored with cashew nuts and raisins.
17. Kerala Pachadi:
    • A side dish made with yogurt and a variety of vegetables, often served as part of Kerala Sadya.
18. Kerala Pazham Pori:
    • Deep-fried banana fritters made with ripe bananas and a gram flour batter.
19. Kerala Pulissery:
    • A tangy curry made with yogurt and either ripe mangoes or ash gourds.
20. Kerala Ragi Puttu:
    • Steamed finger millet cakes, a nutritious and gluten-free breakfast option.
21. Kerala Shark Curry:
    • Spicy shark fish curry made with coconut milk, tamarind, and traditional spices.
22. Kerala Vegetable Biryani:
    • Fragrant rice dish loaded with mixed vegetables, spices, and aromatic flavors.