We all love food. Some enjoy preparing it, some enjoy eating whereas some enjoy both. People even travel to treat their taste buds to different tastes. Like language, the food differs from place to place. Here, we are talking about a recipe that is quite unique.

This story is regarding the preparation of a garlic curry. The interesting part of this special garlic curry lies in its preparation. This special recipe is from the northern part of Kerala. The curry is made with a combination of rice powder and garlic paste. After the curry is prepared, a large iron rod in a red hot state is lowered into it. Instead of rods, large iron chains are sometimes used. This is not just a random act from a bunch of crazy people. There is a small story behind the advent of this method.

The red hot iron rod doesn't impart any special taste to the curry. Rather, the method was an act of survival for a section of society. In the past, this garlic curry was given by the higher-ups in the society to the Theyyam performers, and servants. At that time, Theyyam was performed by the people belonging to the Thiyya community.

History has it that the authorities forced them to eat. There is another reason to do this. The hierarchs forced them to have this curry due to the presence of garlic. Garlic tends to reduce strength and cause sluggishness, which is apparently true. The higher-ups believed that if they eat garlic regularly, it would make them lose strength and ability. However, the Theyyam performers found a way to counter this-adding iron to the mix. They believed that iron has the ability to absorb all the intoxicating substances in garlic. Although they had no scientific knowledge, the performers did this for their survival.

The custom of having iron mixed onion curry is a practice that still exists in some temples in the northern part of the state. Chekkipara Bhagavathy Temple in Chalakadu in Kasaragod's Muzhakkom, Kayakkeel Bhagavathy Temple in Podothuruthy, Kaiyur Mundya, Palerekeezhil Vishnumoorthy Temple in Pallikkara and Puthiyaparambath Bhagavathy Temple in Palakkad still have this tradition. In Chalakadu there is a decades-old iron chain that is specially used for this special garlic curry preparation. In some places, pottery is used instead of iron.

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