Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

The Saga of Kuttanadan Cuisine

Imagine sitting and enjoying a brunch of puttu and naadan (native) fish curry in a small, ordinary eatery set against the backdrop of vast green paddy fields. How about some crisp natholi (anchovy) fry? Or maybe some other naadan non-veg feast is more to your liking?

Come to Kuttanad and experience a wide array of food flavours that will make your taste buds go crazy!

This beautiful countryside in Alappuzha district, Kerala India, is not only known for its tranquil backwaters and limitless green paddy fields. It offers scores of native delicacies that are perhaps exclusive to Kuttanad.

Among all the non-veg varieties, Kuttanad Tharavu (duck) Curry is the most famous. Cooked in the traditional style, following an age-old, classic recipe, the duck curry of Kuttanad can be called the king of Kuttanad cuisine. Another special dish is the Karimeen Pollichathu that is grilled Pearl spot fish wrapped in banana leaf. The intoxicating aroma of these dishes cooked in earthenware keeps you craving for more.

This backwater village is famous for dishing out some mouth-tingling fish curry varieties as well. Scores of local fish curry varieties that range from the spicy Mulakaracha meen curry (fish curry made using red chilli) to Kudampuliyitta meen curry (fish curry made using Malabar tamarind) await you here.

The lip-smacking combination of Kappa (tapioca) and fish is an extremely popular dish of Kuttanad. In this village, you will also get a chance to taste the seafood varieties of Kerala such as prawns (konchu), crabs (njandu), mussels (kallummakkaya), etc.

Before you leave, head for certain shops that are well known for their unique cuisines such as kakka or freshwater clams roasted with spice and grated coconut, duck mappas (duck curry made with coconut milk), spicy red fish curry, etc.

With a perfect blend of spices and local ingredients like coconut milk, tamarind, pepper and special chilli varieties, the cuisine of Kuttanad will take every tourist on a delightful journey through the incomparable culinary legacy of Kerala.