Sakleshpur is a stunning location in the foothills of the Western Ghats, enveloped by beautiful plantations. Not only that, this place also offers a rich tapestry of flavours, and every dish reflects a cultural heritage. At Sakleshpura, you can taste a cuisine dominated by Karnataka’s rich cultural traditions, especially the ones in the Malnad region.
Malnad region covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, and this place is known for its local ingredients, which include various spices, coconut and jaggery. The dishes you find in this region are one of the oldest cuisines of the state. These dishes have some rich flavours and perfectly complement the cool and misty weather of Sakleshpur.
Below are some of the famous foods you can try at Sakleshpur.
Akki Rotti
Akki Rotti is a customary dish of Karnataka, but every region has its way of preparing it. The Akki Rotti you find in the Malnad Region is the most common and the favourite food of travellers.
To prepare Akki Rotti in Sakleshpur style, mix Rice flour with hot water. First, make it into a soft dough, then they are divided into small balls and rolled out into thin flatbreads. Cook these flatbreads on a tawa, add a bit of ghee or oil, and bake until they are golden brown. This dish is mainly served with coconut chutney and sometimes even with other gravies.
Akki Rotti is enjoyed by locals and travellers alike, so next time you visit Sakleshpur, don’t forget to try this tasty local cuisine.
Pathrode
Pathrode is a dish in the Sakleshpur region that strongly resembles a North Indian dish called ‘alu vadi’ or ‘patra’. Though both these dishes have the same key ingredient, ‘colocasia leaves’, the other ingredients in this dish are different from those in the North Indian Dish.
Pathrode is prepared from coconut and rice batter. It is prepared by steaming the rolled leaves and then tempered with roughly chopped rolls. They are also prepared by cutting the rolled leaves into cylindrical shapes and fried until they are roasted. Before being served as a side dish with rice and sambar, Pathrode is topped with a generous amount of coconut oil that amplifies the dish’s flavour.
Jackfruit Idli
Jackfruit Idli is one of the popular dishes in the Malnad region of Karnataka and has various names like pelata gatti, gidde, halasina hannina kadubu, ponsa muddo etc. But most people know this dish as ‘Halasina Hannina Idli’.
The Jackfruit Idli is prepared by first preparing the batter by blending chopped jackfruit, grated coconut, jaggery, and salt into a smooth paste without adding water. Then it is added in a bowl with a little suji (rava) and a bit of water and mixed into a smooth batter. This batter is poured into a Jackfruit leaf, or a banana leaf and cooked for about 15-20 minutes.
Mung Dal Carrot salad
Mung Dal Carrot salad is known as Hesarubele Carrot Kosumbari. This is a simple, yet healthy dish. The simplicity of this dish is what makes it popular among the people here. To prepare the Moong Dal carrot salad, first, soak the moong dal in water. Once thoroughly soaked, take them out and put them in a bowl. Add grated carrot, and grated coconut and mix them well. Once they are thoroughly mixed, add lemon juice, which gives it a tangy taste.
Jackfruit Bonda
Jackfruit Bonda is a popular snack among the Malnad people, and also one of the easy recipes to prepare and have with your evening tea. This mouth-smacking evening snack is prepared by first grinding the jackfruit in the mixer. Once it is thoroughly ground, rice flour and a bit of salt are added to the fine paste, and mixed thoroughly. Once the mixture is ready, take a pan and heat the oil. After the oil is heated, drop the mixture in small shapes into the oil, fry it until it turns brown, and serve it hot with tea or coffee.
So, next time you visit Sakleshpur, don’t forget to enjoy this mouth-smacking recipe.
Cheenikayi Kadubu
Cheenikai Kadabu, also known as Pumpkin Idli, is one of the signature dishes of the Malnad region, and you can enjoy this in Sakleshpur as well. Cheenikai Kadabu is a dish that is specially prepared on the first day of Diwali.
This dish is prepared using grated Pumpkin and Rice Rava. To prepare this dish, you must first cook the pumpkin, squash it and then pour this paste in the rice batter. Finely mix this, and then steam them. This tasty dish is served with the traditional coconut chutney. So, when you visit Sakleshpur next time, enjoy a sensory experience with this amazing Malnad cuisine.
Neer Dosa
Neer Dosa or Neer Dose is a popular breakfast recipe of the Malnad region. ‘Neer Dosa’ means ‘water dosa’, because this dish is prepared from plain rice water. This dish was first identified as the delicacy of Tulunadu and is well-practised in Malnad and Kundapura regions.
The trick of making the perfect crispy neer dosa lies in the amount of water added to the water. Apart from that, the type of pan or tawa used, or the rice from which the batter is prepared also plays a major role in preparing thin and crispy dosas. Neer dosa is served hot with either chutney or coconut oil with pickle or ghee with sugar or grated coconut with jaggery or sweetened coconut milk or rasayana (prepared using mango/banana, jaggery and coconut milk).
FAQs
What are some traditional dishes I should try in Sakleshpur?
Some of the traditional dishes that you must try in Sakleshpur are-
- Akki Roti: A rice flour-based flatbread, often spiced with onions and chillies.
- Kadubu: Steamed rice dumplings, filled with sweet coconut or spicy meat fillings.
- Neer Dosa: A thin, crepe-like dosa made from rice batter, served with coconut chutney or curry.
What are some must-try sweet dishes in Sakleshpur?
- Kesari Bath: A sweet semolina dish cooked with ghee, sugar, saffron, and nuts.
- Halasina Hannu Payasa: A dessert made from jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut milk.
These are two must-try dishes in Sakleshpur
Can I find local coffee in Sakleshpur, given its reputation for coffee plantations?
Yes, you can try the local coffee in Sakleshpur. Since this region is known for its coffee plantations, trying the local coffee is a must. Many plantations offer tours that include coffee-tasting sessions where you can enjoy freshly brewed, aromatic coffee.
What is the best way to experience local cuisine in Sakleshpur?
The best way to experience local cuisine is by staying at a homestay where hosts often prepare traditional meals for guests. Additionally, local eateries and street vendors also offer authentic tastes in Sakleshpur’s culinary landscape.
