Your local host Usha will welcome you into her home and serve you a wonderful traditional sadhya (feast) straight out of her family kitchen in her tharavad (as ancestral houses are called in Kerala).
This will be a multi-course meal served on a plantain leaf that may include dishes like sambar (tentil based vegetable stew), aviyal (mixed vegetables), olan (curry made with white pumpkin, cow peas and coconut milk), and erissery (pumpkin), eaten with rice and papadum (crisps). You will end your meal with a mango-cinnamon preserve or fried banana slices dusted with cinnamon powder.
Once you are done eating, Usha will take you around the house, sharing anecdotes from her formative years in Kerala and of her memories linked to the house.
Usha is eager to share the Nair community's rituals, customs, festivals and cuisine through this special experience - so don't miss out on getting a unique glimpse of a local's life in this part of the world!
Option 1: Homecooked lunch with your local host Usha
Usha and her husband grew up in Thrippunithura and Ernakulam in Kerala, and later lived in the US for many years. About six years ago they inherited an old house in Thrissur, and living there for them is like reliving their fond memories of growing up in Kerala. Usha’s old-world house was built over 100 years ago by her grandfather in Kerala style with British overtones. You will see a lot of traditional Kerala style architecture from the tiled roof and black flooring, to antique furniture, old family photos and various other memorabilia collected over the years. Usha is happy to customize the menu as per your preference. Please let her know when you book if you have any special requests.
a Kerala special of fish curry prepared with fresh sea butter fish (neymeen)
with grated coconut and curry leaves, and Cucumber and green mango salsa
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Local contact information: If you need assistance, please contact your hosts Usha +91 (0) 8547477913, or by email at [email protected] Address: Rama Vilas, Sree Kerala Varma College Road, Kerala, Thrissur 680011 Meeting Instructions: Meet your host Usha at her home in Thrissur, which is an hour's drive from Nedumbassery airport and two hours from Ernakulam. Take the NH47 highway to Thrissur. Once you reach West Fort junction, take the Guruvayur road, about 1/2 mile later, turn left on to Kerala Varma College road. About 1/4 mile later, on the right side is Usha's house. Across the street from Usha's home is the Varma College cricket ground. Here is a Google maps link to her location: https://goo.gl/maps/EXohkMYCYV32 -- Traveling Spoon is a supplier of Viator and TripAdvisor. We offer travelers authentic food experiences with locals, in their homes. Founded by two travelers and food lovers, Traveling Spoon helps others make meaningful cultural connections through food. Contact us at [email protected] if you have general questions about our services. For specific questions related to your booking please contact your host directly with the contact information provided above. We hope you have a meaningful experience and look forward to hearing about it!
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