During the Onam festival in Kerala, families gather to share a Onam Sadhya, a huge and colorful traditional feast. This elaborate vegetarian meal, served on a banana leaf, features a variety of dishes that showcase the rich flavors of South Indian cuisine. Perfect for Onam 2025, this simplified recipe focuses on key dishes to bring the essence of Sadhya to your table.
- Servings: 6 Serve
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 Hour
- Cool Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes (for curd-based dishes)
- Total Time: 2 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Rice (preferably red matta rice): 2 cups
- Toor dal (split pigeon peas): 1 cup
- Grated coconut: 2 cups
- Green beans: 200g, chopped
- Carrots: 2 medium, diced
- Raw banana: 1, peeled and cubed
- Yam: 200g, peeled and cubed
- Pumpkin: 200g, cubed
- Drumstick: 2, cut into 3-inch pieces
- Green chilies: 3, slit
- Turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
- Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
- Curry leaves: 2 sprigs
- Coconut oil: 3 tbsp
- Tamarind: 1 small lemon-sized ball
- Jaggery: 1 tbsp
- Curd (yogurt): 1 cup
- Banana (ripe): 2, sliced
- Papad: 6 pieces
- Salt: to taste
- Water: as needed
Step-By-Step Directions
- Cook the Rice:
- Rinse 2 cups of red matta rice thoroughly. Cook in a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water and a pinch of salt for 3 whistles on medium heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Parippu (Dal):
- Toss a cup of toor dal into your pressure cooker with three cups of water, a half-teaspoon of turmeric, and a tiny pinch of salt. Let it cook until you’ve heard the whistle four times. Mash the dal, add ½ cup grated coconut, and simmer for 5 minutes. First, fry a teaspoon of mustard seeds and some curry leaves in a tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Make Avial (Mixed Vegetable Curry):
- Boil green beans, carrots, raw banana, yam, pumpkin, and drumstick with ½ tsp turmeric and salt in 2 cups water until tender (10-12 minutes). To make your paste, just blend the half-cup of grated coconut with one green chili, half a teaspoon of cumin seeds, and a little water until smooth. Add to vegetables, cook for 5 minutes, then mix in ½ cup curd. Heat 1 tbsp of coconut oil and fry the curry leaves until fragrant.
- Prepare Sambar:
- Soak your tamarind in half a cup of warm water. After 10 minutes, press it to get the juice out. Meanwhile, boil the toor dal in two cups of water until soft, and then mash it up. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp coconut oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, and 1 green chili. Add mixed vegetables (carrots, drumstick, beans), tamarind juice, 1 tbsp jaggery, and 1 tsp sambar powder. Cook for another 15 minutes over a low heat before blending in the mashed dal.
- Make Thoran (Coconut Stir-Fry):
- Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil, add ½ tsp mustard seeds, curry leaves, and 1 green chili. Next, add your green beans to the pan. Keep stirring them as they cook for five minutes. Mix in ½ cup grated coconut and salt, cook for 3 more minutes.
- Prepare Inji Puli (Ginger Pickle):
- Get started by heating a teaspoon of coconut oil. Sizzle some fresh ginger, green chili, and curry leaves to wake up their flavors. Then, just add your tamarind juice, a teaspoon of jaggery for sweetness, and a pinch of salt to bring it all together. Simmer until thickened (5-7 minutes).
- Serve with Accompaniments:
- Fry papads in hot oil. Slice ripe bananas. Serve curd as a side.
- Assemble the Sadhya:
- Scoop your rice and place it right in the center of the leaf. Arrange small portions of parippu, avial, sambar, thoran, inji puli, curd, banana slices, and papad around it. Serve warm.
Table of Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrient information is approximate and based on available data.
Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
---|---|---|
Calories | 450 kcal | 23% |
Total Fat | 12g | 18% |
Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
Sodium | 600mg | 25% |
Total Carbohydrate | 75g | 25% |
Dietary Fiber | 8g | 32% |
Total Sugars | 10g | – |
Protein | 12g | 24% |
Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
Calcium | 80mg | 8% |
Iron | 3mg | 17% |
Potassium | 600mg | 13% |
Final Thought
The Onam Sadhya is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of Kerala’s culture, unity, and love for food. This simplified recipe brings the essence of Sadhya to your home, perfect for Onam 2025. Gather your loved ones, serve this feast on banana leaves, and let the flavors tell the story of Kerala’s harvest festival. Happy Onam!
Also Read: Irresistible Elaneer Payasam Recipe to Sweeten Your Onam Celebration!
My Name is Sanjeev Vekariya, I cover Articles related to Baking, Recipes, Desserts and Cake . I have more than 5 Years of Experience in Writing Food Article.