Sadya means a grand extraordinary banquet in Malayalam (the language spoken in Kerala/God's own country,a southern state of India)
comprising of anywhere from 11 to 20 or
more strictly vegetarian dishes served on an organic plate ,the humble and natural banana leaf
. They are a colorful combination of rice, curries, pickles, snacks, fruits and desserts
.
For me Kerala Sadya is the true definition of a balanced meal.
For me Kerala Sadya is the true definition of a balanced meal.
Sadya is an art in itself ; as each and every item has a
particular place on the banana leaf . First of all, banana leaf (hand long
approx) is laid narrow end pointing to the
left.Pappadum/paapad is served on the extreme left followed by a small banana,Uperii/Banana
chips,Sharakara puratti/sweet jackfruit chips,kerala mango pickle(kadu maanga)/
lemon pickle, ,puliingi/ginger pickle,khichadi,olan,pachadi,erriserry,Kalan,thorans,avial and Kerala Matta rice in the center .Every item is prepared in Kerala oil, the coconut oil exclusively.
Traditionally, people clad in ethnic dress (Settum mundu /set saree for ladies,mundu for men and pavada blouse for girls ,boys can wear anything) sit cross-legged on a mat laid on the floor , then the sadya items are specifically arranged on
the Banana leaf .
Snacks (banana and jackfruit chips ) are eaten first .Then the parippu curry/lentil curry and ghee is poured over the rice followed by sambar curry and other curries ,one by one as one prefers. The meal usually ends with a mozhu curry/puliserry, which aids in digestion .Finally,dessert a.k.a Payasam is served which is to be enjoyed with the banana smashed into it and if it’s too sweet , little pickle is used to balance it.
No forks or spoons are used,food must be enjoyed by hand.The first full course meal is offered to God,Lord Ganapathy in front of a lighting Lamp (in a strict traditional way,if followed )and then the celebration begins in full swing.
Snacks (banana and jackfruit chips ) are eaten first .Then the parippu curry/lentil curry and ghee is poured over the rice followed by sambar curry and other curries ,one by one as one prefers. The meal usually ends with a mozhu curry/puliserry, which aids in digestion .Finally,dessert a.k.a Payasam is served which is to be enjoyed with the banana smashed into it and if it’s too sweet , little pickle is used to balance it.
No forks or spoons are used,food must be enjoyed by hand.The first full course meal is offered to God,Lord Ganapathy in front of a lighting Lamp (in a strict traditional way,if followed )and then the celebration begins in full swing.
Sadya is considered to be one of the most detailed and meaningful
grand meal prepared and presented by any civilization or culture in the world.
It is prepared especially for special occasions especially Onam,the main festival of God’s own country, Kerala , Vishu, the new year celebration of Kerala and
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries mostly
.
It is God’s own country’s , an extra special meal , a must try
and to be enjoyed at least once in life. The meal is a celebration in itself !
The sadya items mainly consist of Kerala red rice,matta rice and curries like
Parippu, Sambar, Rasam, Pulissery , ingi curry,Kaalan, Avial, Thoran, Olan,
Pachadi, Mango pickle, Naranga curry, Papadum, plantain chips,jackfruit chips
and the traditional dessert called Payasam.The items and the way they are served varies from region to region in Kerala.
The items ,part of a great sadya at my home are (more or less) :
- Rice (Ofcourse :D usually Kerala matta rice is used but I hardly use it ,I prefer white rice mostly)
- Papaddum
- Banana chips/Ethakka Upperi
- Sharkara puratti/Jackfruit sweet chips
- Kadumanga Achar
- Pavakka mezhukkupuratti
- Pavakka Thoran
- 2 Vazha Pindi thorans/Banana stem recipes
- Mambazha Pulissery with small mangoes
- Carrot-Pavakka Thoran
- Beetroot-Pavakka-Bitter Gourd thoran
- Kovakka mezhukkupurati- 2 ways
- Vendakka mezhukupuratti
- Kerala Ishtu recipe
- Chakkakuru Mezhukupuratti/Jackfruit seeds stir fry Kerala style
- Beet greens/Beetroot leaves stir fry Kerala style
- Theeyal curry
- Sadya Parippu curry
- Thuvar parippu curry
- Muringa ila curry
- Kerala Tomato curry
- Special Maanga pachadi/mango pachadi
- Sambar
- Rasam
- Olan
- Kalan
- Puliserry
- Mathanga cherupayar |Pumpkin mung beans Erissery
- Ethakka cherupayar eriserry
- Mambazha Puliserry|Maanga puliserry|Mango Kerala curry
- Chenna Kadla Koottu curry
- Zucchini carrot cabbageThoran
- Purple/Red cabbage thoran
- Cluster Beans thoran
- Vazha Koomb thoran
- Green Beans thoran Kerala style (2 methods)
- Kerala special mushroom stir fry/Koon thoran
- Aviyal
- Puli Inji
- Beetroot Pachadi
- Beetroot Pachadi WITHOUT coconut
- Mango Pachadi
- Capsicum Stir fry
- Drumstick leaves and potato stir fry
- Chembu Thal Thoran
- Spicy Peanut potato fry
- Potato Payasam
- Falooda Payasam
- Parippu Pradhaman
- Mambazha Pradhaman
- Mango semiya Payasam
- Banana Payasam
It is said that during ancient times there used to be up to 64 sadya items served on three Banana leaves per person 
and hopefully,I would love to make 64 items and update here gradually.
So, more coming up...... sadya with 64 items in progress.....
and hopefully,I would love to make 64 items and update here gradually.So, more coming up...... sadya with 64 items in progress.....
INDIAN THALI
- Thalis of Kerala called pothichoru and chatti choru
- Bengali Thali
