Kerala, is also known as the God’s
own country. It is also known as the, 'Land of Spices', as major portion of
its cuisine is hot and spicy. Coconut is an integral part of almost all
dishes prepared in Kerala. Rice is the staple food for the people of Kerala.
Sea food is also an important part of Kerala cuisine. Chutneys and pickles
makes the Kerala food more tangy, lip-smacking and adds to its taste value.
People of Kerala are highly concerned about the health aspect of their food.
Thus, oil, sugar and artificial additives are used in minimum quantity.
Food is served on soft banana leaves and is eaten with hands. There is also
a prescribed order of serving various dishes on the banana leaf. The people
of Kerala enjoy both simple dish known as 'Kanji' as well as an extravagant
dish known as 'Sadya'. People usually sit in rows of mats at the time of the
sadya ( feast) as a tradition. Spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves
nutmeg and pepper are grown in south India, thus, they are used generously
in south Indian food. Coconut oil is used as the medium of cooking in
Kerala. Along with coconut one can't imagine Kerala food without chilies,
curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafoetida.
Typical Kerala breakfasts are 'Appam with Egg curry', 'Puttu with Kadala
curry' or 'Idiyappam with Chicken curry'. Other South Indian dishes such as
'Dosa', 'Iddly', etc are also common in Kerala. Deserts like Payasam and
Palppayasam are made with milk, sugar, ghee, rice and dry fruits.
The people of Kerala put to good use whatever the land offers and the
result is a fantastic cuisine that is simple yet mouth-watering.
Some
other popular dishes of Kerala are:
Rasam
Appam
Tapioca and Fish Curry
Avial (Semi-dry, Mix Vegetable)
Kalan
Olan
Thoran
Pineapple Pachhady
Semiya Payasam
Rice Puttu (Steamed Rice Cake)
Adaku Pathiri (Layered rice and egg, Malabar cuisine)
Fish Molee
Celery Payaru Thoran
Kappa (Sweat dish, rich in proteins and other vitamins)
Cheeda
Achappam
Karemeen Pollichathu (Fish fry)
Thenga Churuttu (Mango pickle: Kerala style)
Kuzhalappam ( A snack)
