Different parts of India are under a vegetarian spell since it is Navratras in North and west, and Purattasi in Tamil Nadu, so time is ripe to talk about a super special dish perfect for carnivores missing their meat now. Saiva Meen Kuzhambu from Chettinad, literally meaning vegetarian fish curry. The look and texture of the vegan fried cakes closely mimic that of a fried fish, but they are made of brown variety of black eyed peas( thatta payir) . These peas are ground along with spices and steamed in lettuce tree leaves( nanjundan keerai) , and then tawa fried to get that texture. Nanjundan keerai or Lachakottai keerai is common as an ornamental plant , but it is a delicious green which not many people are aware of. These fried cakes are then stewed in a typical Kuzhambu with all the ingredients we regularly use to make a fish curry, spicy and tart. A great combo with some soft fine idiappam and sweetened coconut milk with dry ginger! #exotic #vegan #mockmeat #mockfish #vegetarian #chettinad #kuzhambu #delish #veganfood #dinner #lategram #foodloose #kodaikanal #tamil #southindianfood #delicious #scrumptious #nomnomnom #plantfood #foodontheroad #indianfood #india #teampixel (at Hotel Kodai International)

a #vegetarian #brekkie of #gourds with #beancurdskin and #mockfish on #beehoon #noodles (at Hainanese Village Centre (Lorong Ah Soo Market))

Mockfish is shredded potato, carrot, onion, capsicum and any other veggies you want mixed in a flour/water batter.Mix until thick and glob it into a frying pan until the base is covered. Cook until golden brown and DIG IN. It's literally just a vegetable pancake! Closest I could find to my family's homemade version.