Parotta

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Parotta
Malabar Porotta.jpg
Alternative namesPorotta, Parotta, Malabar porotta
TypeFlatbread , crispy multi layered bread
Place of originIndia
Region or stateKerala, Tamil Nadu,
Main ingredientsMaida or Atta, ghee or oil

'Parotta or Porotta is an Subcontinental layered flatbread made from Maida or Atta, alternatively known as flaky ribbon pancake. It is very common in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and widely available in other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra and countries like Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.

Porottas (Parathas) are often available as street food[1] and in restaurants across Kozhikode,Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. At some places it is also served at weddings, religious festivals and feasts. It is prepared by kneading maida/wheat flour, egg (in some recipes), oil or ghee and water. The dough is beaten into thin layers and later forming a round spiralled into a ball using these thin layers. The ball is rolled flat and pan fried.[2][3]

Porottas/ Parathas are commonly eaten with vegetable kurma/korma, chicken, fish, mutton or beef curry. They are also served stuffed with vegetables such as potatoes or raddish which are then eaten with yogurt or raita. Chilli parotta and kothu parotta are prepared using parottas.

History[edit]

Parotta have its origins in Jaffna in Sri Lanka, where Tamil workers brought it to Tamilnadu as a flatbread, and made its way to Malabar, Kerala. It was transformed into flatbread to flaky layered bread here.[4]

Types of parotta[edit]

Type Description
Poricha Parotta The dough is prepared the same way as coin parotta. However, after grilling the parotta in a pan, it is shallow fried in oil.Poricha parotta is famous in Thoothukudi. Multi-layered parotta, fluffy and soft. Favourite among residents of Madurai
Bun Parotta Version of madurai parotta made into a bun size bake. Softest of all parotta.
Kothu Parotta Originated in Madurai and popular in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka prepared by chopping parotta into small pieces and mixing with egg, chicken, mutton, salna to prepare the dish. Popular variants are Egg kothu, chicken & mutton kothu, chilli kothu and vegetarian kotu. (Tamil word "Kothu" means "To chop" hence the name Kothu Parotta)
Ceylon Parotta Two layered parotta usually with stuffing in between. Often rectangle in shape
Kerala Parotta Kerala parotta, popularly known as porotta, is a delicacy from the state of Kerala.

Gallery[edit]

Health impact[edit]

Similar to any food product made from Maida (refined flour), Parotta / Porotta has been deemed unhealthy by some doctors.[5] This has resulted in the introduction and popularization of "atta porotta", which is porotta fully made from atta (whole wheat flour) mostly available only in urban areas.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Saravanan, T. (18 January 2013). "Flavours from the footpath". Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  2. "Kerala Paratha Recipe".
  3. Kannampilly, Vijayan (2003). The essential Kerala cookbook. Penguin Books. p. 179. ISBN 0-14-302950-9.
  4. "The 4 South Indian dishes that have a foreign orig". moneycontrol.com (Opinion).
  5. Mallady, Shastry V. (12 August 2013). "Parottas loaded with danger, say docs". The Hindu.

External links[edit]

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other