“My hometown Kovilpatti is very famous for the Kadalai Mittai. It's an anytime snack. After moving out of my native town, I stock packets of it at home. A perfect snack not many people know about."
For many of us, childhood memories are connected with food. And when we leave the nest in pursuit of education or livelihood opportunities, the nostalgia of those tastes and flavours remain. For all those who grew up in Tamil Nadu, munching on a sweet kadalai mittai, a bowlful of chettinad seedai or the crunchy sattur kara sev, we have good news. Home isn’t too far away.
Click on this link to check out tasty traditional Tamil snacks and add flavour to your nostalgia!
1. Tamil Nadu’s version of chikki – the Kadalai Mittai
“I remember my middle school field trip to a kadalai mittai factory as an 11-year-old kid. They explained how the sweet is made and packed. As a compliment, they gave all students a packet of kadalai mittai at the end of the trip,” shares Kishore Ram, a technical staff member with The Better India who always has a packet of the sweet in his cabinet. A native of Kovilpattai in Tamil Nadu, he takes a bite of the peanut candy every time he misses home.
Follow his footsteps and get closer to home with this nutty sweet.
Click on this link to get your share of the traditional snacks.
2. The Sweet and Irresistible Tirunelveli Karupatti Halwa
Karupatti Halwa made from palm jaggery has made Tirunelveli town of Tamil Nadu famous. Even then, the shop where this started remains a humble setting catering to its loyal fanbase. Pettikadai’s packed Halwa is the closest you can get to this traditional sweet. Now, we may not be able to take you all the way to Tirunelveli but at least we can serve its taste wherever you are in India.
Wait no more! Follow this link and go back to your memories of growing up in Tamil Nadu.
3. Sattur Karupatti Sev from Tamil Nadu
Yet another traditional snack that is made on a large scale in Tamil Nadu and yet remains largely unseen in many other parts of India is Sattur’s Kara Sevu (sev). “This is actually a savoury snack, but there are few varieties like Karupatti Sevu, Cheeni Sevu which are mixed with jaggery or sugar making it tangy. This is another snack that is always stacked in my home. In fact, the sevu is a must as a side-dish for rice meals,” Kishore shares.
Missing home? Don’t! Click here to get a pack of the Karupatti sev at just Rs 210.
4. Your childhood favourite savoury Murukku
Whether a typical rainy day or a special festive occasion, the savoury Murukku was a must at my friend, Swaminathan’s place. Born and raised in Chennai, Swaminathan reminisces over how he would help his mother knead the dough for his favourite snack. And though he was forbidden to go near the hot oil, pressing the machine to make Murukku circles was the most exciting part of the process. “I would stand away from the stove, trying to squeeze out the perfectly shaped Murukku. Chennai is quite far now and I crave for the snack. Thankfully all I have to do is order it online now,” he says.
It’s really that simple. Click on this link to get the traditional sweets and savoury food items.
5. A Sev that binds Tamil Nadu families together
It is always a cosy feeling when families get together to celebrate something special. For Swaminathan’s family, summer vacations were one such occasion. “The parents had to keep the kids busy with some interesting activity throughout the day. So my family, aunts and cousins got together and fried the Kara sev. It was one of those family exercises that one thoroughly enjoys and ever since I have moved away from my hometown, I miss it exceptionally!” Swaminathan, who now lives in Bengaluru, shares.
Family bond stay irrespective of how far you travel. Follow this link to get home those delicious snacks from your childhood.
Also Read: 5 Traditional Foods To Boost Your Immune System And Keep You Safe This Flu Season
(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)
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