Onam is an important major festival for people in Kerala, a state in South India. It is the time when all people of Kerala from all over the world come together with their loved ones to celebrate. Here I give you the collection of lip-smacking delicious Onam recipes for you to impress your guests and to plan your menu.
Onam
Onam is a harvest festival of Kerala and it falls on Malayalam Calendar – Chinga Masam which in Gregorian Calendar overlaps in August – September. The Onam is celebrated for 10 days. It includes Vallam Kali( boat race), Puli Kali ( Tiger Dance), creating Pookalam ( drawing with flowers), and lot many.
But now I dedicate this post to all the people out there in Kerala who are strongly coming back after a devastating flood. This Onam, those people are struggling a lot. Lots of people have lost their houses and lots of their lives. So I decided not to do any special dish for Onam but to dedicate a roundup post to those people. Let them get all the strength to come back so strong.
The Feast called Ona Sadhya has a minimum of 24 – 28 dishes and is usually served in a plantain leaf. The sadhya is normally lunch and the main dish Boiled rice is served with different curries and side dishes. Along with it takes place the, banana chips, sarkkara uperi, Mango pickle, pappadum. The feast ends with a sweet note Pradhaman. Normally there will be at least 3 varieties of pradhaman or payasam.
Collection of Onam recipes
Mango Pickle
The important dish in the feast is pickles. And one of my favorites is Mango Pickle.
Paruppu Vada ( Channa dal Fritters)
It is the fritters made of protein-rich Channa dal.
Sambar
Sambar is the main curry made with different vegetables and coconut. This is the main curry to be had with rice.
Kalan
Kalan is a yogurt-based curry with yam and plantain. You can use both or either of them.
Pineapple Madura Curry
This Pineapple Madhura Curry is a dish from Kerala which is a must on special occasions. This curry is so easy to prepare and requires only minimal ingredients. This curry has a sweet and sour taste which is unique about this dish.
Mambazha Pulissery
Pulissery is basically vegetables cooked in yogurt coconut paste. Here I give you the most popular and delicious Mambazha (Ripe Mango)Pulissery.
Pineapple Rasam
Rasam aids indigestion. Pineapple rasam has a mixed taste from pineapple and tomato.
Kootu Curry
This is the dry curry made with yam, plantain, and chickpeas or channa dal.
Papaya Pachadi
A simple Papaya Pachadi makes the feast scrumptious.
Vendakka Pachadi
Vendakka pachadi is a yogurt-based curry that is mild in taste.
Zucchini and Cucumber Pachadi
A little twisted pachadi from the normal ones made with Zucchini.
Inji Kichadi
The Kichadi is a raw preparation with yogurt and coconut sauce. The Inji kichadi is made with ginger which helps with indigestion.
Raw Papaya Erissery
Erissery is a coconut-based semi-gravy made with plantain pumpkin or papaya.
Aviyal
Aviyal/ Avial is a traditional Kerala ( a south Indian state) dish made with assorted vegetables cooked in ground coconut and yogurt. No special occasion in Kerala is complete without this Aviyal.
Beetroot Thoran
Beetroot has many health benefits. They are highly nutritious. Try this simple stir fry to have along with your lunch.
Cabbage Thoran
A stir fry made with Cabbage.
Banana Blossom in Coconut masala
Banana blossom is a super vegetable with lots of vitamins and fiber.
Kadala Paruppu Payasam
Dessert made with channa dal and coconut milk.
Vermicelli Payasam
Semiya Payasam or Vermicelli payasam is one of the most popular desserts made in any Indian household. You need just a handful of ingredients. Let’s see how to make this easy dessert in an Instant Pot and on Stovetop.
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Sharing this recipe to Fiesta Friday this week co-hosted by Mollie and Mikaela
What a great collection, Lathi. I’ll be sure to refer to it anytime I need an Onam recipe. Thanks!
Thank you Angie, will be glad if it helped you
Thank you for sharing all of these recipes and teaching me about Onam. I hope the people in Kerala do come back strong.
Thank you Mikaela,hope the recipes can be useful for you
What a collection of recipes! I felt like I was able to drink in, if just for a few minutes some of your cultures so I love that you explained a little about the feasting! I see so many recipes that I would love to try. Thanks for the roundup and thanks for bringing it to Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
So glad that it helped Mollie, thank you 😊
Lovely Collection Lathi and Thank you for including my humble recipe as well. Wishing you and all your loved ones a very happy and prosperous Onam.
Thank you Vidhya..Happy Onam to you and your family
Wow what a collection, just right to make up the whole Onam sadya. Our prayers goes out to all those who are suffering because of the floods in Kerala.
Thank you Mayuri