Onam 2024: 6 Traditional Desserts To Add To Your Sadhya Plate

Onam is the grand festival of Kerala that is a celebration of vibrant culture, tradition and various delectable delicacies of the region. It is observed in the first month of the Malayalam calendar, Chingam, and this year Onam falls between September 6 to September 15. It marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, whose reign is considered a golden era of peace, prosperity and equality. The festival also coincides with the harvest season, making it a time of gratitude and celebration for the bountiful yield. Also Read: Tamil Nadu's Chettinad Cuisine Of The Chettiar Community, Experts Share Their Insights On Spices, Flavours & MoreOne of the major highlights of this festival is the grand feast known as the Sadhya. This scrumptious meal is traditionally served on a banana leaf, featuring a variety of vegetarian dishes. Among the numerous dishes, desserts hold a special place, adding a sweet touch to the elaborate spread. As we prepare to celebrate Onam 2024, here are six traditional desserts that you simply must include in your Sadhya platter.

Ada Pradhaman Ada pradhaman is one of the classic desserts of Kerala that is enjoyed in every household. Made from rice flakes (ada), coconut milk, jaggery and cardamom, this pudding is rich, creamy, and full of flavour. The ada, cooked in coconut milk and jaggery and is garnished with fried coconut slices and cashews to make it even more delicious.

Palada Payasam This is another traditional pudding of Onam Sadhya that you must try. It is made with milk, rice ada and sugar, giving it a delicate flavour. The ada is cooked slowly in milk until it becomes soft and creamy along with the sugar. Neyyappam This dessert cum snack is also known as unniyappam and is a must in the Onam Sadhya platter. These small, deep-fried rice cakes are made from a batter of rice flour, jaggery, coconut and cardamom and are fried in ghee. Neyyappam is a delightful addition to the Sadhya, offering a burst of sweetness.

Parippu Pradhaman Parippu pradhaman is a unique payasam made from moong dal, coconut milk and jaggery. The lentils are cooked until soft and then simmered with jaggery and coconut milk, creating a hearty and sweet delight for the Sadhya platter. The flavour is enhanced with cardamom and a garnish of fried cashews and raisins. Banana Halwa Banana halwa is a popular dessert in Kerala that is made from ripe bananas, ghee, sugar and cardamom. The bananas are cooked with ghee and sugar until they form a thick texture. The addition of cardamom also makes it an aromatic and delicious dessert which you can include in the Sadhya platter. Achappam Also known as rose cookies, these are crispy, deep-fried snacks that are often enjoyed during festive occasions like Onam. They are made from a batter of rice flour; coconut milk and eggs and these flower-shaped cookies are fried until golden and crispy. Achappam is lightly sweet and has a delicate coconut flavour, making it perfect for people who love light desserts.