Power of Seven; three sisters and four sisters-in-law join hands to bring tempting regional cuisine to the table

KOTTAYAM: Puthenpurakkal Viji of Mundakkayam was left blank when she returned home after four years in Qatar. No income. No savings. Worried about what's next.

Finally, three sisters and four sisters-in-law of the Puthenpurakkal family came together to create a little world of flavourful delicacies. 'Naadan Oonu' is a small shop run by seven women at Mundakkayam Paingana on the Kottayam-Kumily road.

People came in search of good food. Those who tasted the food once, came again. Many from far away also came after hearing about the taste. Some call and inform in advance to prepare their favourite food.

Viji, who was a home nurse, returned tired of suffering in the desert. Some of the relatives were housewives. Others were employment guarantee workers. Viji's sisters, Usha and Suma, were the ones who introduced the idea of meals with regional delicacies. Her sisters-in-law Kunjumol, Sandhya, Vijayamma and Subi joined her. They rented the shop five months ago with the help of a panchayat member. The shop was painted. Now the seven families are making a living with the shop. There are no outside employees.

The timings are from 5 am to 6 pm. From cooking on wood fire to washing dishes, it's all done by women. Police, government officials and auto drivers are the regulars. The families of the seven are also eating here. Husbands who go to work as labourers and children to school carry food in parcels.

Tempting dishes

Kappa, fish curry, parotta, puttu, beef roast in the morning

A meal worth Rs 70 with five curries in the afternoon

Specials: Fish, anchovy, beef, clam, squid

Chutney made with oil, tamarind and chillies

Ivy gourd, Banana flower or Taro for Thoran