Glossary V
Varutharacha is a Malayalam culinary term which means roasted and ground coconut paste, sauce or gravy. This gravy is used in preparing various curry dishes in Kerala, called Varutharacha Curry which literally means „in roasted and ground coconut curry“. Varutharacha Curry is one of the most popular foods from the Kerala cuisine which can be made with egg, fish, chicken, beef, vegetables, etc.
Vanpayar or Van Payar Thoran is one of the many Thoran dishes from Kerala, India. Van Payar or Vanpayar is red cow beans stir-fried with grated coconut, lots of spices, onions/shalotts and Curry leaves .
Thoran is a dry vegetable side dish with coconut added to it. It is a vegetable-based stir-fry made from finely chopped or cut vegetables cooked with grated coconut on it. Moreover, Thoran is sauteed or stir-fried vegetables or mixed (2 or more) vegetables with grated coconut . It is a part of Sadya. (Please see related article on Thoran).
Van Payar/Vanpayar Thoran is best eaten with rice, Kanji (rice gruel/porridge), Dosa or Chappati/Roti
Thoran is Kerala is called Poriyal in Tamil Nadu.
Below are pictures of Van Payar/Vanpayar Thoran
Van Payar/Vanpayar Thoran eaten with Dosa/Dosha
This picture of Van Payar/Vanpayar Thoran is served with rice.
This Van Payar/ Vanpayar Thoran is eaten with Chapatti or Roti for dinner in Allepey, Kerala, India
Vengayam/Vengaya/Venkayam Pakkoda refers to onion fritters made by slicing red onions, coating them with batter made from Kadala Mavu (Chickpea flour) with lots of spices, slices of green chilies and Curry Leaves , then deep-fried in Coconut Oil.
Vengayam/Vengaya Pakkoda is also spelled Pakoda and it is also called Savola Pakoda.
Venkayam is the Tamil word for Onions while in Malayalam Onion is called Savola.
Pakkoda, Pakoda can also be called Pakora and they are all the same, Indian fritters made from vegetables or meat, usually vegetables, such as Onions, Spring Onions, Green Chili, and Cauliflower.
When I was in Allepey, Kerala, India, most Pakoda or Pakora I have seen are made from Onions and since I love onions, I love Onion Pakoda.
Picture below is Vengayam/Vengaya/Venkayam Pakkoda sold in the night food street market in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Looks so delicious, I miss Allepey.
Vefa Bozacisi refers to Turkey's tavern-like Boza outlet where Ottoman culinary tradition of drinking Boza has been protected since 1876 when Vefa Bozacisi was first opened by the current owner’s great grandfather in the Istanbul district of Vefa.