The Onam Sadhya at Home :: 2020

Onam 2020 has begun and ends today. The festivities usually last for ten days, but Kerala isn't doing the traditional temple processions or the annual boat races, because COVID-19. But food is always a focus be it Kerala or Singapore. Of course the man and I are very interested in traditional foods in the Onam feast.

We didn't want to go to the restaurants for the sadhya. It's always super crowded, and the lines to the buffet trays are long. We didn't want a food delivery either because we know how these logistics always screw up on days restaurants have to manage a large volume of orders. Once we saw what the restaurants are offering, we opted for a pick-up of our Onam meal from Spice Junction.

They informed us that the food could be picked up from 11.30am onwards. Knowing how they operate, we decided to turn up more or less on the dot. Besides doing pre-orders for takeaway, the restaurant also accepted dine-ins during this Onam weekend. So we knew that our pre-ordered food would have been packed earlier and placed outside for collection. To ensure total freshness and hygiene, we turned up at 11.35am and took our heavy pack of food for four.

The rain came down heavy that afternoon. It eased up for the half hour that we drove out to collect the food, and then it began anew when we got home. The cool temperatures made it so conducive for a meal of spices that we didn't bother turning on the AC at home at lunch. The fans provided more than enough circulation.

Rummaged through the packs to find what I really wanted- the Kerala olan. Of course it was there. Yay! It's the one type of coconut curry that I love, and Spice Junction does a wonderful iteration of it. Totally needed to gobble up the thoran and aviyal and ladle the sambar all over the rice. I'm less fond of the pickles, and the restaurant still doesn't do rasam the way I like it. Left those alone. 

There was plenty of food. Wooot. Loads of Kerala matta rice given. Portions of all food for four were more than enough to feed six people! Maybe seven. We had plenty of leftovers for a lunchbox the next day. There were two types of payasam. Those were a tad wasted because only the man and M were enthusiastic about those. Eiooowwwww. So sweeeeet!!! I was so pleased that they included banana leaves as plates, and also banana chips. Laid out the banana leaves on the dining table and instantly felt the good vibes of a lovely sadhya. Ate with hands, of course. We were at home with plenty of soap and water available, why not. Eating with fingers make everything taste better. It was a wonderful afternoon with old friends who were also looking forward to the Onam sadhya enjoyed this way.