Kerala delights

When traveling to a new place, one of the best things to do is to try the local flavours and popular dishes from the area. Kerala, located in southern India and offers a great variety of flavourful dishes that are made in combination with (gravy based) curry, an Indian staple. While visiting the cultural city of Kerala, try our top favorite 5 delicacies form the Kerala cuisine.

Kerala Sadya

A traditional vegetarian feast that derives its name from the term 'banquet' in the local language, Malayalam. It is not only very popular among vegetarians in the area but is known for being served for lunch, at any given occasion or celebration. It is made of pink rice that is par boiled and is placed on a large plantain leaf. Also on the leaf are some vegetarian side dishes such as Avial, which is a blend of vegetables that is mixed with green chilies and coconut paste. Other side dishes include Thoran and Olan.

Puttu and Kadala Curry

A delicacy that Kerala is famous for Puttu is a rice cake that is cylindrical in shape and is formed from steamed rice. It also includes coconut shavings. The Puttu is served with a kadala curry which is made of black chick beans and kala chana. Often, it is served with grated coconut or even bananas. The locals generally enjoy this combination for breakfast but it is easily available all around the state during other times of the day as well.

Kerala parotta with chicken curry

This is a mouth-watering, thick and creamy chicken gravy that is generally served with rice, however, you may find that in Kerala it is served Kerala parotta (layered flat bread) or appams. With the tender chicken, you will also relish the roasted coconut flavour and the flavour from the curry leaves used to garnish the rich curry.

Kappa(tapioca) with fish curry

This is a traditional dish and is ideal if you enjoy sea food. Kappa, or as you may know it, Tapioca, is boiled then mashed and then served with flavourful meen, or fish curry that is usually cooked in a mud pot. The fish curry tends to be spicy in flavor. If it is not served with fish curry, this staple dish will be accompanied by another spicy and flavourful curry. Make sure you treat yourself with this healthy dish when you're in Kerala.

Payasam

 One the most famous desserts in the area that is prepared for various occasions. Even if you are not a big dessert eater, you need to try this once or twice while visiting. There are several variations of Payasam and each is just as delicious as the next. It is made of rice or vermicelli that has been cooked in milk and served in a bowl with nuts and fruits. It is a very sweet dish, which can be attributed to the coconut milk used in the recipe. If you like it at one place, don't stop yourself from trying it at other places for the variations in the recipe may leave you wanting for more.

Find out more about how you can experience Kerala

By Sajda Latif