Food forms an integral part of the culture and lifestyle of any society, and it connects people globally. Many go on culinary tours worldwide to explore authentic food of specific regions and make food vlogs. If you want to enjoy the essence of a place to the fullest, you have to taste the local food in that region. Hence, plan your vacation by scheduling enough time to enjoy the lip-smacking food of Kanyakumari. Hotels in Kanyakumari will help you in exploring various famous recipes and places.
How culture and food are connected?
Geographical location plays a vital role in the people’s culture, lifestyle and food. Kanyakumari is the southernmost district in India; it is located at the confluence of three major oceans, the Arabian sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The other side of the land of Kanyakumari is covered with mountains; thus, the food here is a blend of seafood and hill terrain.
The neighbouring state, Kerala, is the other aspect that significantly impacts the culture of Kanyakumari. Kerala is only 100 km away from Kanyakumari. So most of the recipes in Kanyakumari follow the tradition of using coconut to enhance the favour.
Like many other districts in Tamilnadu, rice is the staple food of Kanyakumari. People residing closer to the hilly terrain prefer Tapioca, a root vegetable. A significant population of Kanyakumari follows a non-vegetarian diet leading to increased spiciness in the food.
Traditional recipes of Kanyakumari:
Stay with us to learn some of Kanyakumari’s traditional recipes and the list of ingredients used. There are many restaurants and hotels at Kanyakumari that serve you the best affordable, delicious food.
Banana chips and Jackfruit chips:
Banana chips, known as nenthra-kaaya oopperi, are a popular snack in Kanyakumari. The half-ripped banana is cut into thin slices and deep fried in coconut oil. A mixture of salt, turmeric and water is added to the oil to obtain an appetising yellow colour on the banana chips.
The yellow pulp of jackfruit is cut into thin and narrow slices and deep fried until it turns light golden brown. You can spice it up with salt and chilly powder.
Aviyal:
Aviyal is a vegetarian curry prepared using seasonal vegetables like brinjal, carrot, drumstick, beans, potato etc., seasoned with mustard and curry leaves. The creamy texture of this dish is because of coconut and curd. The curd gives a mild tangy flavour and is topped with a tadka prepared using coconut oil. Aviyal is served as a side dish for rice, and in some parts of Tamilnadu, people have aviyal along with adai, a type of dosa prepared using dhals.
Seafood and fish curry:
The main occupation of Kanyakumari is seafood. If you stay in hotels in Kanyakumari near the beach you can witness a fleet of boats sailing away from the shore early morning. The boats return at dawn with loads of freshly caught fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns etc. Many food stalls at the beach serve you the best seafood in the state. Fish curry, as the name implies, is prepared with fish and fresh coconut. It is usually served with rice or tapioca. Never miss tasting this killer combo when you are at Kanyakumari.
