Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zest by the Malayalees all over the world. While Thiruvonam (the tenth day) is the most important day of the festival, the celebrations at some places continue until chatayam (twelfth day). The festival is marked by elaborate rituals, feast, socializing, games and fairs. Umpteen varieties of dishes are prepared throughout the festival in every Malayalee home. 'Onasadya' or the traditional feast of Onam is an unavoidable part of the festival. It is organized by people irrespective of caste, creed and community barriers.
The grand feast of Onam is held in a methodical manner. The impressive spread of delicacies are served in banana leafs. The leaf has to be placed in a particular way and the dishes are also to be served in a defined pattern. The serving on the leaf begins from the left with 'Upperies' (deep-fried dishes). Umpteen numbers of scrumptious dishes are served on this occasion. Different kinds of rice with a number of side dishes and other delicacies such as curries, 'pappadams' (round crisp flour cakes), 'achaars' (pickles) and 'payasams' or 'pradhamans' as desserts are served. Plantain fruits are also served as a part of the meal.
Avial is a scrumptious dish of Kerala. It is a kind of mix vegetable recipe. Easy to make and delicious to taste, this dish is also very nutritious and fulfilling. It is basically a side dish served hot along with varieties of rice.Kerala recipes are extremely luscious. Apart from the variety of coconut dishes, the most relishing Kerala recipes are sweet to taste. Payasams, Uniyappam, Elayada, Achappam, Banana Halwa (Nenthra Pazham Haluva) are the most popular sweet dishes of the state.
Coconut is a vital ingredient of almost all the Kerala dishes. Right from vegetables to the desserts, coconut is used in almost all the dishes. However, one of the most regularly made and popularly made coconut dish of Kerala is the coconut sauce or ‘thenga chutney’.Idli is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the country. Extremely scrumptious, light and nutritious, Idli is an ideal breakfast item. Made of rice and Urad Daal, making Idli is not difficult at all, however its preparation takes a little time as the batter for Idli requires fermentation.
Sweet dishes of Kerala are extremely famous for their wonderful taste. One of them is the Dry Fruit Kesari, a popular sweet dish of Kerala. Made of Rava and dry fruits as the primary items, Kesari is extremely scrumptious to taste. It is prepared in a very manner very similar to north Indian ‘Rava Halwa’, except for the fact that the Halwa is not cut into diamond shape later on.Masala Dosa is one of the most popular south Indian recipes all over the world. Made up of the fermented batter of Rice and Urad Daal along with the stuffing of mashed potatoes, it is an extremely scrumptious and fulfilling dish. Though the preparation of Dosa requires a lot of time and efforts, the taste is worth it.