Kerala is a paradise for food lovers, offering a rich and diverse culinary experience. Here are 10 must-try dishes from Kerala, each with its unique flavors and cultural significance:
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1. Appam with Stew
A soft, lacy rice pancake paired with a fragrant coconut-based stew, usually made with vegetables or meat. Combining the crispy edges and fluffy center of the appam with the creamy stew is simply divine.
2. Puttu and Kadala Curry
Puttu is a cylindrical steamed rice cake layered with coconut. It is often served with Kadala Curry, a spicy black chickpea curry. This dish is a staple breakfast in Kerala and is loved for its simplicity and rich flavors.
3. Malabar Biryani
A fragrant and flavorful biryani made with Jeerakasala rice, tender meat (usually chicken or mutton), and a blend of aromatic spices. Unlike other biryanis, Malabar Biryani is mildly spiced but incredibly rich in taste.
4. Karimeen Pollichathu
A famous Kerala delicacy, Karimeen (Pearl Spot fish) is marinated with spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled to perfection. The smoky, spicy flavors make it a favorite among seafood lovers.
5. Erissery
A traditional dish made with pumpkin, coconut, and lentils, Erissery is a comforting and nutritious meal. It is often prepared during festivals and is known for its mildly sweet and spicy taste.
6. Thalassery Chicken Curry
A rich and flavorful chicken curry from the Malabar region, made with coconut milk, spices, and fried onions. It pairs beautifully with Kerala parotta or ghee rice.
7. Palada Payasam
A classic Kerala dessert made with rice flakes, milk, sugar, and ghee. This creamy and delicious payasam is a must-have during celebrations and festivals.
8. Kappa and Meen Curry
Kappa (tapioca) is a popular staple in Kerala, often served with spicy fish curry. The combination of soft, boiled tapioca with tangy and spicy fish curry is a match made in heaven.
9. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu
A spicy and crispy fried chicken dish, marinated with a blend of Kerala spices and deep-fried to perfection. It is often served with rice or parotta.
10. Sadya
A grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, featuring a variety of dishes like sambar, rasam, avial, thoran, pachadi, and payasam. Sadya is traditionally enjoyed during festivals like Onam.
Each of these dishes showcases the rich culinary heritage of Kerala. If you want a more detailed description of each dish, you can check out sources like BBC Good Food, NDTV Food, and Holidify.