Being born in kerala or the god’s own country is a matter of pride as far as I am concerned. The picturesque locale, the heartwarming climate and the ever jovial people make the place the happiest nest on the tree. Enter the season of Onam and the place lights up with happiness and joy. Onam, the most ebullient festival of kerala, the starting of the harvest season, the arrival of Emperor Mahabali.
The Best part about the people of kerala is their talent in hitting upon humor in anything and everything on earth. Even the attire of Mahabali has a tint of childish innocence and ambience with the potbelly and the umbrella. This season, the air is filled with the flavor of banana chips, neatly sliced, evenly salted, crisply fried and served with love. The fluorescence of the yellow chips radiates the markets. The aroma swipes people off their feet. Kerala becomes the sweet centre of the world.
And how does the word sweet become complete without the tang of a cup of palada payasam? The pride of the famous onasadya, palada is the dessert served at the end. The miracle that leaves your tongue in awe even after it is digested. The true spirit of kerala flavor, is no doubt, hidden in the recipe of palada. And palada is just the dessert. The main course is flowery pallid rice to be mixed with a variety of delicacies with varied savor and color. Sambar, rasam, Morukari, parippukari, avail, thoran, kalan, etc is served at their respective places. To make the sadya more spicy, achar and puliyinji is served along. Not over, the banana leaf, where the food is served, also has the above mentioned chips and sharkkara upperi.
See, this is the typical malayali fault! I had started off planning to write about my memories of onam and ended up writing only about the food. Well, food is what matters the most after all right?
Its 12.21 pm on thiruvonam day. I think I’ll go have lunch now!
Hope you enjoyed the read
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