Kerala Foods : Top foods you must eat in your Kerala trip

Kerala Foods : Top traditional Kerala foods

Kerala, a state in southern India, offers a rich culinary experience with its traditional foods. Some of the top traditional Kerala dishes include appam, a fermented rice pancake; puttu, steamed cylinders of rice flour; and karimeen pollichathu, a delicacy of fish marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaf. The cuisine is known for its generous use of coconut, curry leaves, and spices like black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Avial dish

Avial is a mixed vegetable dish cooked with coconut and yogurt. It is a nutritious and flavorful dish often served as a side dish with rice.

Aval Vilayichathu dish

Aval Vilayichathu is a sweet snack made with flattened rice (aval), jaggery, coconut, and spices. It is a popular tea-time snack in Kerala.

Chicken Stew dish

Chicken Stew is a mild and creamy curry made with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and onions cooked in coconut milk. It is usually served with appam or bread.

Dosa dish

Dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is a staple breakfast dish in Kerala and is often served with coconut chutney and sambar.

Erissery dish

Erissery is a traditional Kerala dish made with pumpkin, beans, or lentils cooked in a coconut-based gravy. It is flavored with spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili.

Idli dish

Idli is a soft and fluffy steamed rice cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is a popular breakfast item in Kerala and is served with chutney and sambar.

Idiyappam dish

Idiyappam, also known as string hoppers, is a dish made from rice flour dough that is pressed into thin noodles and steamed. It is often served with coconut milk or curry.
Erissery is a traditional Kerala dish made with pumpkin, beans, or lentils cooked in a coconut-based gravy. It is flavored with spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili.

Kalan dish

Kalan is a traditional Kerala curry made with yogurt, raw plantains, yam, and coconut. It has a tangy and creamy flavor and is usually served with rice during festive occasions.

Koottukari dish

Koottukari is a mixed vegetable curry made with a variety of vegetables, lentils, and coconut. It is a wholesome dish often served with rice or roti.

Mezhukkupuratti dish

Mezhukkupuratti refers to stir-fried vegetables cooked with spices and coconut oil. It is a simple and flavorful side dish commonly prepared in Kerala households.

Olan dish

Olan is a mild and creamy curry made with ash gourd, cowpeas, coconut milk, and seasoned with curry leaves and coconut oil. It is a popular dish during festivals.

Paal Appam dish

Paal Appam is a soft and fluffy pancake made from fermented rice batter cooked in a special pan. It is typically served with coconut milk or sweetened condensed milk.

Pachadi dish

Pachadi is a traditional Kerala side dish made with vegetables or fruits cooked in a yogurt-based sauce. It has a tangy and spicy flavor and complements rice-based meals.

Pavakka Kichadi dish

Pavakka Kichadi is a dish made with bitter gourd (pavakka), yogurt, and coconut. It is a unique and delicious side dish often served with rice or roti.

Pidiyum dish

Pidiyum is a traditional Kerala dish made with broken rice, grated coconut, and jaggery. It is shaped into small dumplings and steamed. Pidiyum is often served as a sweet snack.

Puli inji dish

Puli Inji is a tangy and sweet ginger pickle made with tamarind, jaggery, ginger, and spices. It is a popular condiment in Kerala cuisine and adds a burst of flavors to meals.

Puttu dish

Puttu is a cylindrical-shaped steamed rice cake made with ground rice and grated coconut. It is a common breakfast dish in Kerala and is often served with bananas and kadala curry.

Sambar Parippu dish

Sambar Parippu is a lentil soup made with toor dal (pigeon peas), vegetables, tamarind, and spices. It is a popular accompaniment to rice, idli, and dosa in Kerala.

Thoran dish

Thoran is a dry vegetable stir-fry made with grated or chopped vegetables, coconut, and spices. It is a common side dish in Kerala and is served with rice and other curries.

Vatta Appam dish

Vatta Appam is a deep-fried snack made with rice flour, jaggery, and coconut. It has a crispy texture and is often enjoyed with tea or as a dessert.

Upma dish

Upma is a savory dish made with semolina (rava), vegetables, and spices. It is a popular breakfast option in Kerala and is known for its simplicity and versatility.

Kerala sweets: Top traditional Kerala sweets

Kerala, a state in southwestern India, is known for its rich culinary heritage and delectable sweets. The traditional sweets of Kerala are made with a blend of unique flavors, aromatic spices, and indigenous ingredients. Here are some popular Kerala sweets:

Adas sweet

Adas is a delicious sweet dish made from a combination of rice, jaggery, and coconut. It is similar to a pancake or a crepe and is often served during festivals and special occasions in Kerala. Adas is cooked on a griddle and has a crispy exterior with a soft and sweet filling.

Kozhikodan Halwa sweet

Kozhikodan Halwa, also known as Calicut Halwa, is a famous sweet delicacy from Kozhikode, a city in Kerala. This unique sweet is made from a mixture of wheat, ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and a variety of nuts. The highlight of Kozhikodan Halwa is its distinctive texture and rich flavor.

Kozhukkatta sweet

Kozhukkatta is a traditional Kerala sweet dumpling made with rice flour, grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom. The mixture is shaped into small dumplings and then steamed or boiled. Kozhukkatta is often prepared during festivals like Onam and Vishu and is a favorite among people of all ages.

Payasam sweet

Payasam, also known as Kheer, is a popular sweet dessert in Kerala cuisine. It is made by boiling rice, vermicelli, or other ingredients in milk and sweetening it with sugar or jaggery. Payasam is flavored with cardamom, saffron, and garnished with nuts and raisins. It is served warm or chilled and is a must-have during festivals and special occasions.

Pazham Pori sweet

Pazham Pori, also called Ethakka Appam, is a delightful snack or sweet treat in Kerala. It is made by dipping ripe bananas in a batter made from wheat flour, turmeric, and water, and then deep-frying them until golden brown. Pazham Pori is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a popular tea-time snack.

Unni Appam sweet

Unni Appam is a traditional sweet dish made from rice flour, jaggery, ripe bananas, and coconut. It is prepared using a special appam pan, which gives the dish its distinct round shape. Unni Appam has a soft and fluffy texture and is often enjoyed during festive occasions like Onam and Vishu.

These are just a few examples of the delicious foods and delightful sweets you can find in Kerala. The state’s cuisine is renowned for its wide range of unique and mouthwatering sweet delicacies, each with its own distinct flavor and preparation method. Kerala sweets are a treat for the taste buds and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region.