Onam, also referred to as Thiru-Onam or Thiruvonam, falls in the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Chingam. It is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Kerala. Onam preparations and celebrations go on for a period of ten days and this year the festival started on August 22, leading up Onam on August 31.
Malayalis around the world celebrate the 10-day harvest festival of Kerala and the return of the legendary King Mahabali, by organising a grand feast, also known as Onam Sadhya. Traditionally, over two dozen vegetarian dishes are prepared for this grand feast and served on banana leaves. Preparations for this auspicious occasion usually start a few days in advance. This year, Onam is being celebrated on August 31, 2020
1. Pappadam
No Onam Sadhya is complete without these pappads made from rice flour.
2. Upperi
Perhaps the most beloved item on this list, banana chips are served by the handful before the other 25 dishes.
3. Sharkara Varatti
This sweeter version of banana chips is made out of jaggery and though the sweet made be hard to eat, it will certainly leave you wanting more.
4. Inji Curry
Inji curry is made from ginger, tamarind and jaggery. In most Malayali households, this is the first thing that is prepared in the days leading to the 10th day of Onam.
5. Mango Curry
This mango pickle will add a spicy kick to your meal.
6. Naranga Curry
Of the two types of pickles served at Onam Sadhya, this sour lemon pickle will certainly add some zest to your meal.
7. Pachadi
Another yogurt-based dish for the feast, this is a curry made with either pineapple or bitter gourd, and grated coconut.
8. Olan
This is made with ash gourd and red beans splashed with a generous amount of hand-pressed, authentic coconut milk.
9. Ellisheri
This dish includes pumpkin, red beans, and a generous amount of grated coconut.
10. Avial
An often-ignored dish on this occasion, Avial is one of the best mixed vegetable dishes. It is made by mixing vegetable with grated coconut and is cooked in coconut oil and milk.
11. Thoran
Thoran can be made from any vegetable and is a staple in every Malayali household. Usually, it is made with cabbage and carrots or just beans with grated coconut.
12. Chor
Rice is an essential part of Onam Sadhya but on this occasion, most Malayalis serve red rice.
13. Parripu Curry
For this dish, plain moong dal is topped with ghee, red chillies, and black sesame seeds.
14. Chenna Mezhkkupuratti
For this dish, yam is cut into thin slices, boiled with spices and fried in coconut oil.
15. Sambhar
An essential dish for the feast, each family has their own recipe for Sambhar. It is cooked with every vegetable there is, from beans to potatoes to yam.
16. Pulissery
Made with curd and a vegetable of your choice ranging from pumpkin to cucumber and topped with a gracious amount of grated coconut.
17. Kaalan
This signature Onam Sadhya dish is made with yogurt, yam or raw banana and grated coconut.
18. Morru Kachiyatha
If you are a Malayali, this is definitely a part of your comfort food. It is made by boiling yogurt to perfection with black sesame seeds, shallots, ginger, and garlic.
19. Kichadi
Another delicious dish is this one made using spicy yogurt and your choice of vegetable. It can be okra, cucumber, or even bitter gourd.
20. Rasam
Eaten as a rice accompaniment, this can also be drunk to aid in digestion. It is made with spicy tamarind soup, sprinkled with a generous amount of curry leaves, mustard and tomatoes.
21. Kootu Curry
The ingredients in this might surprise you, it is made with raw bananas, black chana and grated coconut made into a dry curry.
22. Neyy
Usually known as ghee in Hindi, a spoonful of this is poured over the rice and parripu to give it an extra flavour.
23. Inji Thayir
This delicious dish is made using loads of thinly sliced ginger mixed with yogurt, black sesame seeds and spices.
24. Poovan Pazham
This includes the smaller version of bananas. When mashed together, it goes exceptionally well with Payasam, and pappadam can be thrown into the mix for that extra crunch.
25. Palada Pradhaman
A sweet dish made with milk, dry fruits, and rice ada is the last thing to be served as it helps in counteracting the spices.
26. Pazham Pradhaman
This delicacy includes Rice ada, cashew nuts, thinly sliced coconut pieces and jaggery. And for the right way to enjoy this refer to Poovan Pazham.
