Vishu and its recipes

Vishu special recipes from various parts of Kerala.

One more Vishu is approaching, and yes it is a harvest festival of Kerala, South India my hometown. It falls on April 14^th which is Medam according to Malayalam calendar 1^st. Vishu is celebrated with a Kanikannal ritual which is done at 3. AM in the morning before the sunrise. Vishukkani is a beautiful arrangement of kanikonna and other flowers, fruits, vegetables, rice, pulses, coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, gold jewellery, gold and silver coins, kasavu, mirror, bell metal lamps and vaalkannadi, all arranged in a bell metal vessel called uruli in front of Srikrishna idol, symbolizing hope and promise and followed by a sumptuous lunch with various dishes and delicacies, mostly made of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Then there is a tradition that the oldest member of the family would give kaineettam to all those younger to him. Then other elders in the family would follow suit and kaineettam had to be given to everyone coming to the house that day – friends, neighbors, servants, people working in the fields and even the newspaper boy.” Gold nanayams (coins) were symbolically given as kaineettam after seeing the kani. This is discontinued and now coins are given as kaineettam.

By giving the kaineettam, head of the family is praying for the wellness of other members of the family, and there is also a belief is that this will help him to give the kaineettam every year. After these kanikanal rituals, there will be grand feast starting with breakfast, lunch and evening snack. Vishu sadya or feast is mainly dominated by jackfruit and mango recipes as they are abundant during this time. Some are  Vishu special recipes prepared only for vishu.

Vishu breakfast recipes include

Vishukatta,

Vishu kanji which is two type one is salted kanji which is on Palakad side and other one is sweet version of vishukanji  in Ernakaulam side. Yes I am going to try this for this vishu.

Then vishu lunch/sadya mainly with mango and jackfruit recipes, chakka puzkku(Jackfruit stew) , Idichakka thoran(tender jackfruit stir-fry)

Mamapazha kalan( Ripe mango curry) ,

Mambazha puliseery( Spicy ripe mango curry)

Chakkakuru mangacurry/Jackfruitseeds mango curry

If plantain chips are special for onam, then jackfruit chips are special for vishu. However I can’t get raw jackfruit, so not going to make it.
Similarly payasam is make with jackfruit, here the my collection of jackfruit payasam recipes

Chakka pradhaman with chakka varatti/ Jackfruit pudding with Jackfruit preserve

Chakka payasam/Jackfruit pudding with fresh jackfruit

For the evening snack, there will be kaniyappam/Deep fried rice pancake , Vishu ada. Next in my list is to try Vishu ada.

If possible try some of the recipes and let me know how it turned out.

Swathi

This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread.  All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.