Delicious dishes from Kerala to try for Onam 2022

Onam is one of the main festivals of the state of Kerala. Malayalis all over the country dress in traditional clothes like Kasavu and Mundu and celebrate this 10-day harvest festival with great fervour. Some of the most popular rituals and activities during Onam include like energetic boat races, exquisite flower decorations and elaborate meals on banana leaves. Onam Sadhya is a special meal prepared on Onam. It is a grand meal consisting of more than 24 delicious items made traditionally.

If you are visiting Kerala during Onam or have heard of an Onam Sadhya happening near you, be sure to try as many dishes as possible as Onam Sadhyas are known to be a gastronomical delight. Even if you are a curious cook wanting to learn some new recipes to make at home, these are some Onam recipes to look out for. From aromatic curries, and crispy snacks to sweets made with dollops of Aashirvaad ghee and pickles, Onam Sadhya has it all. Out of 24 dishes, there are a few classic Onam dishes that are a must-try for all. Here is our pick of the best Onam 2022 dishes to try for every food-lover:

Sambar: While Sambar is a popular lentil dish in the South, the people of Kerala prepare Sambar in a unique way: with the addition of coconut. A selection of Indian spices is roasted along with coconut shavings and then ground into a fine fresh sambar powder. This sambar also contains healthy vegetables like Okra, Pumpkin, Drumstick, pearl onion, ivy gourd, green beans etc cooked in coconut oil.

Thoran: Thoran is a dry dish made from stir-fried vegetables like carrots, beans, cabbage etc. A classic recipe, Thoran is cooked in coconut oil and features green chillies, pearl onions and curry leaves too. Best paired with steamed rice and Kerala Sambar, be sure to try this at the Sadhya.

Avial: People who enjoy eating many vegetables will surely enjoy Avial. It is a mixed vegetable dish which requires the vegetables like drumsticks, green bananas, beans, carrots and others to be first cooked in coconut milk and later cooked in coconut oil and aromatic spiced curd.

Errisery: A dry curry made from yellow pumpkin cubes, coconut, spices, urad dal and curry leaves. This tastes amazing with Sambar and hot steamed rice.

Puli Inji: A sweet and sour chutney made with tamarind pulp, ginger, jaggery, green chillies and curry leaves. Distinctly brown in colour, this chutney can be had with rice and other curries for a delightful time.

Payasam: Very similar to the simple north Indian sweet named Kheer, Payasam is a favourite in Kerala. Made on every special occasion, especially on Onam, Payasam contains milk, ghee, rice ada and jaggery.

Upperi: Sweet banana chips or sweet fried banana, Upperi is a crunchy snack made on Onam. Raw bananas are cooked in jaggery syrup and mixed with atta or rice flour.

Parripu curry: A tadka dal made with split moong dal, grated coconut, spices and curry leaves. Parripu curry is a classic dish, best enjoyed with hot steamed rice and pappadam.

Kaalan: Made with raw banana, plantain, yam and yoghurt along with spices like fennel seeds, turmeric powder and garam masala for an exquisite taste.

Rasam: Another classic lentil dish made with tamarind paste, coconut, pearl onions, spices, black pepper, tomatoes etc cooked in coconut oil and served with rice.

Try all of these and more at a Sadhya near you. Happy Onam!