​VEPPILAI KATTI / VEPLAIKATTI ( SPICY GROUND CITRON LEMON LEAVES) /

VEPLIAIKATTI ( SPICY GROUND CITRON LEAVES) : Carefully picked leaves are washed and patted dried.These leaves along with the salt gets pounded in the mortar using the olakkai, i.e the long wooden pestle used to pound rice and the other ingredients are added and made in batches.

Palakkad Veppilaikatti – A Timeless Treasure of Taste & Tradition

Long before ready-made spice mixes found their way into kitchens, Palakkad homes relied on the goodness of Veppilaikatti — a treasured blend crafted from fragrant citron leaves, tamarind, curry leaves, red chillies, asafoetida, and salt.

Traditionally pounded by hand and shaped into rustic balls, Veppilaikatti is more than a condiment; it is a piece of Palakkad's culinary heritage. A small piece blended with rice or tiffins along with a drizzle of sesame oil transforms a simple meal into a comforting feast bursting with aroma and flavor.

Its earthy tanginess, gentle heat, and herbal freshness make it a pantry staple that generations have cherished.