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A food trail along the Malabar Coast of India is bound to be one punctuated by a mesmerising aroma of spices, delicately crafting layers of flavour dipped in tradition and stories worth listening to. The region’s culinary landscape boasts distinctive influences of Arab, Brahmin, Zamorin and Chirakkal cuisines, with Kozhikode and Thalassery being honoured as the centrestage of Malabar cuisine.
During Eid though, it’s the Mappila Muslim households that everyone heads to. Dishes based on eggs and a variety of meat have a stronghold in traditional Moplah cuisine, while pancakes and steamed rice cakes are also much favoured. A traditional festival spread in this part of the country is a burst of flavours and aroma that anyone would find hard to resist.
Beyond Biryani, Haleem and Sulaimani Chai, here’s a list of some of the unique dishes typically prepared along the Malabar Coast during Eid.
1. Mutta Surka
A favourite savoury breakfast dish on the Malabar Coast, Mutta Surka is made using rice flour and eggs. Unlike Idlis, this soft, pillowy and delicious snack is deep-fried and requires no prior fermentation. Grated coconut, onions, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, salt and oil are among the other ingredients used for the dish. It is usually served hot with scrambled eggs and a spicy chutney on the side.
2. Meen Mulakittathu
This Red Fish Curry is a zesty and flavoursome Kerala delicacy. Meen Mulakittathu is part of almost every meal in traditional Mappila households. The ingredients that go into the dish include onions, green chilies, ginger, garlic, tamarind, chilli, turmeric, fenugreek and coriander powder, mustard seeds, curry leaves, salt, coil and fish, of course.
3. Thari Choru
This Malabar Semolina Biryani is yet another Eid special dish of the region. Said to be a delicacy of the Thalassery part of Kerala, the upma dish comes primarily in two varieties - chicken and prawn. The ingredients used for making this unique biryani include onion, tomato, green chillies, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves, turmeric, coriander and chilli powder, garam masala, mustard seeds and oil.
4. Irachi Pathiri
A well-loved Eid special dish from Kozhikode, Irachi Pathiri is a hot and spicy traditional pancake prepared with boneless chicken. Maida, atta, rawa, salt, ghee, onions, ginger, garlic, green chillies, coriander, fennel seeds and turmeric are among the other ingredients used in this recipe.
5. Mutta Mala
A classic Malabar dessert, Mutta Mala is also a festival delicacy. Described as thin garlands of egg fried over a hot sugar syrup, this dish needs practice, patience and skill to be prepared, along with the ingredients that include sugar, cardamom, ghee and water.
6. Chatti Pathiri
Fondly eaten during Iftar, Chatti Pathiri is a layered crepe cake filled with sweet or savoury fillings. The dish is made in a pan and is said to belong to the northern part of the Malabar region. The sweet version of the pancakes are stuffed with eggs, banana and coconut fillings, while the savoury one often has spiced shredded chicken in it.
