{"id":7692,"date":"2026-08-18T10:02:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextbloggers.com\/travel\/?p=7692"},"modified":"2026-09-11T10:06:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T10:06:57","slug":"foods-of-kongunadu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextbloggers.com\/travel\/foods-of-kongunadu\/","title":{"rendered":"Foods of Kongunadu"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7692\" class=\"elementor elementor-7692\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;ha_cmc_init_switcher&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35c3ebf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"35c3ebf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e92ef1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e92ef1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"><div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"0\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"6b5233e5-b6b9-4ac6-9385-6b2d515cfd4c\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-6\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\"><div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"><div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"><h1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"1vlkc77\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"41\">A Village Feast: The Foods of Kongunadu<\/h1><p data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"377\">Tamil cuisine, long associated with the ubiquitous idli-dosa-vada, and perhaps to a large extent with the fiery Chettinad cuisine of the Karaikudi region of the state, would surprise us with its lesser known but outstanding range of traditional cuisines, depth of flavours, and remarkable history of food going back several centuries.<\/p><p data-start=\"379\" data-end=\"650\">\u2018Namakku Coimbathur pakkamunga\u2019&#8230; if someone in Tamil Nadu were to say this, it would mean \u2018I am from Coimbatore\u2019. It would also mean that they are native to the very heart of Kongunadu, the historic land mentioned time and again in ancient Tamil literature and history.<\/p><p data-start=\"652\" data-end=\"1141\">Kongunadu, the north-western region of Tamil Nadu \u2013 covering Coimbatore, Pollachi, Ooty, Erode, Aathur, Karur, Palladam, Avinashi, Sathyamangalam, Udumalpet, Salem, Tirupur, Palani, Metthur, Namakkal, Dindigul, Krishnagiri, and Dharmapuri \u2013 once ruled by the mighty Chera kings during the early centuries CE, and later by the Cholas, Pandyas, and Hoysalas, is exceptional for its heritage cuisine that is a beautiful blend of simple yet refined ingredients, and strong culinary traditions.<\/p><p data-start=\"1143\" data-end=\"1291\">The region also shares boundaries with parts of the two southern states of Karnataka and Kerala. Their influence too is evident in the cuisine here.<\/p><p data-start=\"1293\" data-end=\"1499\">The real food of Kongunadu has mostly been confined to traditional home kitchens and is greatly underestimated and little represented \u2013 often eclipsed by some of its more famous counterparts in south India.<\/p><p data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1664\">No wonder then that even connoisseurs of good food, and enthusiastic restaurant diners rarely get a chance to experience the delights of the ancient Tamil cuisine.<\/p><p data-start=\"1666\" data-end=\"1924\">Things are changing now though, with hotels in cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore etc. hosting special Kongunadu food festivals to introduce the region\u2019s classic dishes and showcase the majestic food traditions of the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings.<\/p><p data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"2099\">A handful of small restaurants in Chennai and Coimbatore that serve authentic renditions of Kongu dishes also seem to be making an effort to revive the little known cuisine.<\/p><p data-start=\"2101\" data-end=\"2292\">Forgotten recipes are suddenly being unearthed; mostly collected directly from the kitchens of families who have been cooking these dishes from recipes that have been passed down generations.<\/p><p data-start=\"2294\" data-end=\"2431\">So what is the key to Kongu cuisine\u2019s appeal? And why is it all of a sudden fascinating and drawing chefs, food authors, and food lovers?<\/p><p data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2518\">Perhaps it\u2019s because Kongu food is simply food from a village \u2013 earthy and wholesome.<\/p><p data-start=\"2520\" data-end=\"2773\">It is most importantly, a cuisine of the land and its bounties \u2013 deeply grounded in fine indigenous ingredients. The Cauvery River and its tributaries also help; the produce here is naturally fresh \u2013 vegetables, greens, poultry, fish, dairy, and grains.<\/p><p data-start=\"2775\" data-end=\"2861\">Kongu cuisine amazes with its sheer simplicity. It is rich with flavour yet not heavy.<\/p><p data-start=\"2863\" data-end=\"3064\">The food brims with elegance and confidence yet is not flamboyant; it carries a certain rootedness of character, defining the close and reverent bond that the people of the region have with their land.<\/p><p data-start=\"3066\" data-end=\"3168\">Since Kongunadu is in the arid interiors of Tamil Nadu, its cuisine is free of any coastal influences.<\/p><p data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3465\">The distinctive, exquisite flavours come from sesame seeds, pepper, groundnuts, copra (desiccated coconut), dried ginger, nannari (a local herbal root), roasted turmeric, gingelly oil (made from sesame seeds; and the earliest known oil medium!), kollu (horse gram), and ponni (short-grain rice).<\/p><p data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3711\">Coconut, plantain, dates, palm, sugarcane, turmeric, mango, tomato, rice, tamarind, sesame, peanuts, maize (corn), pearl millet, sorghum, and of course greens are grown in plenty here, and are thus extensively incorporated into everyday dishes.<\/p><p data-start=\"3713\" data-end=\"3853\">Kongu cuisine was once predominant in Tamil culture, but the dishes have been endlessly adapted and moulded into new recipes over the years.<\/p><p data-start=\"3855\" data-end=\"4129\">Rice is now the staple of the Kongunadu region. Its quintessential rice dish must be the minimally spiced arisi parappu saadam, a pulao-like dish of rice and lentils tempered with mustard, red chilli, and garlic, and drizzled with aromatic home-made ghee (clarified butter).<\/p><p data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4382\">The other lovely rice item is the vaazhaipoo saadam (plantain flower rice). It is made with the wonderfully aromatic ponni, peanuts, shallots, and copra; their individual flavours set off to perfection by the peppery astringency of the banana flowers.<\/p><p data-start=\"4384\" data-end=\"4442\">However, Kongunadu natives will always love their millets!<\/p><p data-start=\"4444\" data-end=\"4629\">In the old days, much before rice made its way into the cuisine, kumbu (pearl millet), vella cholam (sorghum), and ragi (finger millet) were some of the grains that were regularly used.<\/p><p data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4761\">Kalli is a millet dumpling typical of the region. Millets are soaked and steamed in a mud pot and then churned with a large ladle.<\/p><p data-start=\"4763\" data-end=\"4893\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Hand-pounded spice pastes and podis (powders) are integral to most Kongu dishes and decide the unique flavour of each preparation.<\/p><h2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"1hpvw03\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"54\">Here are Some Interesting Facts About Kongu Cuisine<\/h2><p data-start=\"56\" data-end=\"183\">The ancient period had little exposure to spices. Ginger and peppercorns are the only spices mentioned in historic manuscripts.<\/p><ul data-start=\"185\" data-end=\"1283\"><li data-section-id=\"3msj2u\" data-start=\"185\" data-end=\"271\">There was no onion, garlic, tomato, green and red chilly before the 10th century CE.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"skcw6\" data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"326\">Dry ginger and pepper were used instead of chillies.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"yjvlhw\" data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"422\">Meat\/fish\/poultry are never marinated, giving them their distinct texture, taste, and colour.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ruds2l\" data-start=\"423\" data-end=\"561\">Turmeric is either freshly grated or first roasted, and then ground. It gives Kongu curries their rich yellow colour and distinct aroma.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"nvamnf\" data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"643\">Cubes of mutton are sun-dried, then fried and used as accompaniments to a meal.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1ra86q6\" data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"710\">Rather than fresh coconut, copra is used in curries and gravies.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1hruckm\" data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"774\">Unpeeled potatoes, and milk, are used in curries and gravies.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1ezx37l\" data-start=\"775\" data-end=\"826\">Mangoes are often used to prepare various sweets.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"nw9uif\" data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"888\">Coconut shells are often used to soften meat while cooking.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1jy74g5\" data-start=\"889\" data-end=\"951\">Kongu food uses very little oil and chillies in its cooking.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1g052r2\" data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"1095\">The Kongu preparation of meat dishes does not involve too many spices. It is quite rustic and sometimes finished off with just coconut paste.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"v08ubh\" data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1175\">Cereals such as rye, bajra, jowar are extensively used in main course dishes.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"6wn1hn\" data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1283\">Butter milk and sweets are had as the second last course and rasam (souplike accompaniment), as the last!<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1285\" data-end=\"1507\">Here\u2019s a look at some of the most traditional and well-loved Kongu dishes; some original, others which feature on the menus of food festivals and restaurants in Tamil Nadu \u2013 most of these recreated sans modern ingredients.<\/p><h3 data-section-id=\"4dpi2g\" data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1521\">Appetiser<\/h3><ul data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1614\"><li data-section-id=\"ppcxz\" data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1614\"><strong data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1544\">Nannari Sharbat<\/strong> \u2013 a refreshing drink made from the nannari herb and narthangai limes.<\/li><\/ul><h3 data-section-id=\"194yp0t\" data-start=\"1616\" data-end=\"1625\">Salads<\/h3><ul data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1741\"><li data-section-id=\"vd9m10\" data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1668\"><strong data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1649\">Sutta Kathirikai<\/strong> \u2013 smoked aubergine<\/li><li data-section-id=\"a2rth5\" data-start=\"1669\" data-end=\"1704\"><strong data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1686\">Pasiparuppu<\/strong> \u2013 green gram bean<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1mbhk1r\" data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1741\"><strong data-start=\"1707\" data-end=\"1725\">Porichha Kozhi<\/strong> \u2013 fried chicken<\/li><\/ul><h3 data-section-id=\"19473fm\" data-start=\"1743\" data-end=\"1752\">Snacks<\/h3><ul data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1947\"><li data-section-id=\"nn2ki8\" data-start=\"1754\" data-end=\"1827\"><strong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1785\">Murungai Keerai Paniyaram<\/strong> \u2013 a shallow-fried drumstick leaf dumpling<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1enfcio\" data-start=\"1828\" data-end=\"1887\"><strong data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1860\">Puziyampatti Parappu Vadai<\/strong> \u2013 yellow split pea patties<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1szbg2o\" data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1947\"><strong data-start=\"1890\" data-end=\"1906\">Azhapoo Vada<\/strong> \u2013 banana flower and lentil fried cutlets<\/li><\/ul><h3 data-section-id=\"j80h6f\" data-start=\"1949\" data-end=\"1966\">Non-Vegetarian<\/h3><ul data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2604\"><li data-section-id=\"iir45v\" data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2014\"><strong data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2000\">Nathakadaiyur Nandu Masala<\/strong> \u2013 crab masala<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1o7xas3\" data-start=\"2015\" data-end=\"2069\"><strong data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2038\">Naatu Kozhi Rasam<\/strong> \u2013 a tangy country chicken soup<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1f7u4kf\" data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2121\"><strong data-start=\"2072\" data-end=\"2095\">Attu Eraichi Elumbu<\/strong> \u2013 lamb meat and bone soup<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1dljz60\" data-start=\"2122\" data-end=\"2241\"><strong data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2148\">Nattu Kozhi Kuzhambu<\/strong> \u2013 home-style country chicken made with shallots, tomatoes, and coconut paste in a rich gravy<\/li><li data-section-id=\"5503bd\" data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2375\"><strong data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2261\">Kari Kuzhambu<\/strong> \u2013 slow-cooked lamb curry with coriander seeds, garlic, chilli, ginger, shallots, and whole spices in a rich gravy<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ay0a0k\" data-start=\"2376\" data-end=\"2480\"><strong data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2403\">Thandu Keerai Urundai<\/strong> \u2013 a deep-fried meatball made with minced mutton and Foxtail Amaranth spinach<\/li><li data-section-id=\"y1rlao\" data-start=\"2481\" data-end=\"2604\"><strong data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2513\">Pallipalayam Kozhi Varuval<\/strong> \u2013 slow braised country chicken flavoured with red chilli, garlic, fennel, and other spices<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2704\">Also, the Special Kaadai (quail); rabbit curry; Pollachi Mutton Kuzhambu; Kangeyam Mutton Biryani.<\/p><h3 data-section-id=\"12c7as5\" data-start=\"2706\" data-end=\"2719\">Vegetarian<\/h3><p data-start=\"2721\" data-end=\"2799\">Vegetarian curries are mildly-spiced, and the ingredients are the heroes here.<\/p><ul data-start=\"2801\" data-end=\"3638\"><li data-section-id=\"93rf5a\" data-start=\"2801\" data-end=\"2849\"><strong data-start=\"2803\" data-end=\"2827\">Murunga Keerai Rasam<\/strong> \u2013 drumstick leaf soup<\/li><li data-section-id=\"9unuxu\" data-start=\"2850\" data-end=\"2899\"><strong data-start=\"2852\" data-end=\"2876\">Ahathi Keerai Sambar<\/strong> \u2013 a local spinach soup<\/li><li data-section-id=\"gdddsx\" data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2937\"><strong data-start=\"2902\" data-end=\"2918\">Vazhaithandu<\/strong> \u2013 banana stem soup<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1qjitov\" data-start=\"2938\" data-end=\"2998\"><strong data-start=\"2940\" data-end=\"2968\">Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu<\/strong> \u2013 soup made with lentil balls<\/li><li data-section-id=\"eu04fk\" data-start=\"2999\" data-end=\"3101\"><strong data-start=\"3001\" data-end=\"3020\">Keerai Vadhkkal<\/strong> \u2013 a stew made from a local variety of spinach, tomatoes, and hand-pounded garlic<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1gx5uv6\" data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3158\"><strong data-start=\"3104\" data-end=\"3126\">Mushroom Thirattal<\/strong> \u2013 mushroom and groundnut masala<\/li><li data-section-id=\"5hc5oz\" data-start=\"3159\" data-end=\"3207\"><strong data-start=\"3161\" data-end=\"3170\">Kootu<\/strong> \u2013 a green bean and lentil gravy dish<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ppq6vo\" data-start=\"3208\" data-end=\"3293\"><strong data-start=\"3210\" data-end=\"3229\">Poondu Kuzhambu<\/strong> \u2013 a garlic and tamarind soup-like preparation; mushroom biryani<\/li><li data-section-id=\"13r15a0\" data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3367\"><strong data-start=\"3296\" data-end=\"3323\">Manikaram Vadagam Curry<\/strong> \u2013 made from holy basil and betel nut leaves<\/li><li data-section-id=\"y0qoul\" data-start=\"3368\" data-end=\"3412\"><strong data-start=\"3370\" data-end=\"3388\">Raagi Idiappam<\/strong> \u2013 millet string hoppers<\/li><li data-section-id=\"5pxew\" data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3485\"><strong data-start=\"3415\" data-end=\"3433\">Nila Kuzhambhu<\/strong> \u2013 curry prepared with potato, yam, and sweet potato<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1jgkz9m\" data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3564\"><strong data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3505\">Kollu Masiyal<\/strong> \u2013 horsegram boiled and ground to a paste along with spices<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1n6j8pc\" data-start=\"3565\" data-end=\"3638\"><strong data-start=\"3567\" data-end=\"3587\">Payiru Thirattal<\/strong> \u2013 lentils, groundnut paste, onion, and pepper dish<\/li><\/ul><h3 data-section-id=\"yv5g0k\" data-start=\"3640\" data-end=\"3651\">Desserts<\/h3><ul data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"4465\"><li data-section-id=\"q8bfs7\" data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3750\"><strong data-start=\"3655\" data-end=\"3674\">Pathaneer Halwa<\/strong> \u2013 a sweet sticky concoction made from pathaneer or toddy before it ferments<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ymrqlg\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3834\"><strong data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3768\">Kumbu Halwa<\/strong> \u2013 a dark dessert made of millet milk, rice flour, ghee, and sugar<\/li><li data-section-id=\"j7yq9j\" data-start=\"3835\" data-end=\"3972\"><strong data-start=\"3837\" data-end=\"3857\">Ellaneer Payasam<\/strong> \u2013 made with chilled tender coconut water, and milk spiced with crushed cardamom and double boiled till it thickens<\/li><li data-section-id=\"11ch1t\" data-start=\"3973\" data-end=\"4054\"><strong data-start=\"3975\" data-end=\"3989\">Pazhadosai<\/strong> \u2013 pancakes made with bananas, wheat flour, sugar, and rice flour<\/li><li data-section-id=\"3n8mqb\" data-start=\"4055\" data-end=\"4132\"><strong data-start=\"4057\" data-end=\"4072\">Nongu Halwa<\/strong> \u2013 a sweet, soft sticky concoction made of the Palmyra fruit<\/li><li data-section-id=\"coht84\" data-start=\"4133\" data-end=\"4165\"><strong data-start=\"4135\" data-end=\"4147\">Kachayam<\/strong> \u2013 banana fritters<\/li><li data-section-id=\"lhoasr\" data-start=\"4166\" data-end=\"4286\"><strong data-start=\"4168\" data-end=\"4179\">Obbattu<\/strong> \u2013 a pancake like sweet with a maida (refined flour) covering stuffed with a mixture of lentils and jaggery<\/li><li data-section-id=\"5y49cu\" data-start=\"4287\" data-end=\"4388\"><strong data-start=\"4289\" data-end=\"4308\">Paruppu Payasam<\/strong> \u2013 pudding made with green gram lentils, jaggery or palm sugar, and coconut milk<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1dtryii\" data-start=\"4389\" data-end=\"4465\"><strong data-start=\"4391\" data-end=\"4409\">Godhumai Halwa<\/strong> \u2013 sweet concoction made by extracting the milk of wheat<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"4467\" data-end=\"4600\">The dishes mentioned above are a mere introduction to Kongunadu\u2019s fantastic repertoire of vegetarian and non-vegetarian preparations.<\/p><p data-start=\"4602\" data-end=\"4734\">The ancient cuisine was most subtle and innovative, beautifully flavoured, immensely healthy, and surprisingly refined for its time.<\/p><p data-start=\"4736\" data-end=\"4994\">While modern cooking \u2013 with its molecular gastronomy, fusion experiments, Masterchefs, cookery shows, and Michelin stars \u2013 dominates India\u2019s food culture today, there is also a slow but visibly marked return to traditional food, especially in the big cities.<\/p><blockquote data-start=\"4996\" data-end=\"5247\"><p data-start=\"4998\" data-end=\"5247\">\u201cIt\u2019s a good thing, because once heritage is lost, it is lost to us forever. These recipes were created according to the lay of the land and in a way that is good for our bodies. Holding on to such tradition is good in all things, not just in food.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><blockquote data-start=\"5249\" data-end=\"5578\"><p data-start=\"5251\" data-end=\"5578\">\u201cIt\u2019s true that&#8230; traditional cooking does take a lot of preparation and time. These wonderful traditions foster family bonding: just sitting around a table together while preparing dishes can help.\u201d \u2013 Sabita Radhakrishna, author of <em data-start=\"5485\" data-end=\"5496\">Annapurni<\/em>, a cookbook comprising recipes drawn from six different communities of Tamil Nadu<\/p><\/blockquote><p data-start=\"5580\" data-end=\"5724\">Food is not just a marvellous equaliser. It is also our link with shared histories, cultures, and most importantly, with our treasured heritage.<\/p><p data-start=\"5726\" data-end=\"5844\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Cooking the way our ancestors did will perhaps only bring us closer to the heart-warming and reassuring taste of home.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pointer-events-none -mb-px h-px w-full opacity-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Village Feast: The Foods of Kongunadu Tamil cuisine, long associated with the ubiquitous idli-dosa-vada, and perhaps to a large extent with the fiery Chettinad cuisine of the Karaikudi region of the state, would surprise us with its lesser known but outstanding range of traditional cuisines, depth of flavours, and remarkable history of food going [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[235],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiring-journey-2016"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Village Feast: The Foods of Kongunadu | Tamil Cuisine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover Kongunadu cuisine, from traditional rice and millet dishes to rustic curries, snacks and desserts rooted in the rich food heritage of Tamil Nadu.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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