New Delhi: Onam, the grand harvest festival of Kerala, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, and the highlight of this celebration is the traditional Onam Sadhya — a lavish vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf. The Sadhya, which means ‘banquet’ in Malayalam, is a grand assortment of flavours, colours, and textures, representing the rich culinary heritage of Kerala.
During Onam Sadhya a feast called Sadhya is prepared by the families and enjoy a lavish lunch. Here is a detailed guide of recipes by Arun Kumar TR shared in his book Feast on a Leaf. Enjoy a delicious meal at home with love and authenticity of South Indian flavours. Each dish is carefully chosen not just for its flavour but also for its nutritional value, ensuring a wholesome meal.
Chakka Chola Varuthatha (Ripe Jackfruit Chips)
Ingredients
1 medium-sized ripe jackfruit (5-8 kg) or 450 g ripe jackfruit pods
250 ml oil for deep frying
Salt to taste
Method to prepare
Start by choosing a ripe, fragrant, and sweet jackfruit, to ensure the natural sweetness of the chips.
Cut the jackfruit open and peel it to extract the ripe pods. Carefully remove the pods and set them aside.
Remove the seeds from the pods and peel off any white pith surrounding them to get clean, fleshy fruit pieces.
Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, slice the pods into thin, long slices.
Carefully add a batch of jackfruit slices to the hot oil without overcrowding the pan.
Fry the jackfruit slices for about 5-7 minutes per batch.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried jackfruit chips from the oil.
Sprinkle a little salt over the hot chips for added flavour.
Parippu (Lentil Curry)
Ingredients
100 g toor dal
250-500 ml water (depending on cooking method)
1 pinch of turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Ghee for drizzling
Method to prepare
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.
In a saucepan or pressure cooker, add the washed toor dal with a pinch of haldi.
Pour in 250 ml of water if using a pressure cooker or 500 ml of water if using a regular saucepan.
If using a pressure cooker, cook the dal for 2-3 whistles or approximately 10 minutes on low flame after reaching full pressure. If using a saucepan, cook for 20-25 minutes.
Once the dal is cooked, use the back of a spoon or a masher to mash it into a smooth consistency.
Add salt to the mashed dal according to your taste.
Allow the dal to simmer on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Before serving, drizzle a small amount of ghee over the dal for a rich flavour.
Ingredients
10-12 medium-sized lemons
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
50 g ginger, finely chopped
4-5 green chillies, slit
2-3 sprigs of curry leaves
2 teaspoons red chilli powder
¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
2-3 teaspoons salt
½ cup sesame oil
1-2 tablespoons vinegar
Sugar
Method to prepare:
Wash the lemons thoroughly and steam them in a steamer for 10-15 minutes.
Dry the steamed lemons thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Cut the lemons into quarters or eighths.
Sun-dry the lemon pieces for 1-2 days to remove moisture.
Heat sesame oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Let them splutter, then add ginger, green chillies, and curry leaves.
Lower the heat and add red chilli powder, asafoetida, and salt to the pan.
Add the dried lemon pieces to the pan.
In a separate pan, heat more sesame oil until it reaches the smoking point.
Pour the warm oil over the lemon and spice mixture and mix well.
Transfer the pickle to a clean, dry glass jar and store it in a cool, dark place for at least a week.
The traditional recipes from Onam Sadhya are a perfect example of flavours served on a plate together with authenticity and love. Prepared with locally sourced ingredients and a touch of love, the Onam Sadhya reflects Kerala’s rich agricultural tradition and culinary diversity. It is not just a meal but a celebration of community, abundance, and the spirit of sharing.
Celebrate Onam with a delightful array of must-try authentic Sadhya recipes, each dish capturing the essence of Kerala’s rich culinary tradition. Make your Onam celebration truly special with these time-honored recipes that will transport you to the heart of Kerala. Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
