There is more to Deepavali than lamps and crackers, it is also a time to binge on a delicious platter of sweets and savouries. The spread is varied for each community. MetroPlus looks at what is on the Deepavali plate of various communities that have made Kerala their home.
Big breakfast
“Deepavali is about an elaborate oil bath, sumptuous breakfast and fireworks,” says K Gomathy Ammal, Thiruvananthapuram-based writer and member of the Tamil Brahmin community. Ukkarai/okkarai, a sweet dish made with split Bengal gram, jaggery, coconut and ghee, and Inji lehyam, a medicinal mix, are must-haves for Deepavali. The lehyam is consumed soon after the customary oil bath. “Idli and chutney is had with with any type of vada. Sometimes we prepare vellayappam, a deep-fried snack made with rice, fenugreek, urad dal, ginger, green chilli, curry leaves and mustard. Wheat halwa is also made,” Gomathy adds.
