It’s 3 pm on a typical monsoon afternoon in Kozhikode (Calicut). I’m at Zain Restaurant, a popular establishment in a city where almost everyone you meet is a foodie. I’m not the only one waiting in line for a taste of one of Zain’s signature dishes. This was once a home tucked away in one of Kozhikode’s many narrow streets. It was transformed into a restaurant by a couple who doesn’t just love food but have been passionate about showcasing Moplah culinary traditions. Zainabi Noor is one of the city’s best-known restaurateurs, she set up Zain hotel with her husband Noor Mohammed.

The Maplia (Moplah) stamp on Kozhikode’s foodscape is unmistakable; the intermingling of Arab and Kerala culture has left a huge impact on every aspect of this community including its legendary cuisine. Kozhikode (or Calicut) was for long a focal point along the legendary spice route where Vasco da Gama’s Indian adventure began centuries ago. The city’s wholesale market is no longer just the preserve of the spice trade; it is dominated by pulses and rice merchants today. I’d also recommend a visit to Kozhikode’s fish market. This is probably where Zain sources the key ingredient for its prized afternoon snack – Arikadukka.

(Also Read: 5 Non-Veg Dishes That’ll Make You Love The Malabari Cuisine Of Kerala)

A week after my visit to Kozhikode, I caught up for lunch with Chef Regi Mathew who helms Kappa Chakka Kandhari, a popular Kerala restaurant chain at his Bengaluru restaurant in Koramangala. Most of the conversation centred around my second food trail around Kozhikode and my latest discovery. The Arikadukka is a north Kerala speciality; this delicacy is prepared with mussels, which are stuffed with a subtly spiced rice mixture, steamed in its shell and then fried.

The fresh batch of Arikadukka at Zain was finally served just after 3 pm and I almost burned my fingers as I opened the shells and got lost in the aromas that wafted through the restaurant. The perfect comfort food as I watched the pitter-patter of the rain. According to Regi (see recipe), the rice absorbs the flavour of the mussels while steaming and this gets further enhanced while frying, all with minimal marination. He reminisced about enjoying this snack while walking along the Kozhikode beach. I will save that for my next visit to Kozhikode.

Arikadukka (Stuffed Mussels)

Recipe courtesy – Chef Regi Mathew,

Culinary director & co-owner Kappa Chakka Kandhari

Ingredients

• Green mussels – 15 nos
• Boiled rice – 1 cup
• Grated coconut – 3/4 cup
• Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Fennel – 1 tsp
• Shallots (cleaned) – 10 nos
• Sea salt to taste
• Curry leaves – 10 nos
• Coconut oil for frying

For Masala

• Chilli powder – 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
• Garlic peeled – 4 cloves
• Fennel powder – 3/4 tsp
• Salt – 1/2 tsp

Method of preparation

1. Soak rice in warm water for 5 hours.
2. Clean the mussels in running cold water and remove all the impurities. Drain and cut them open
3. Wash the rice and drain the water out. Add grated coconut, cumin seeds, Fennel, shallots, and salt and grind the rice to a coarse texture.
4. Add chopped curry leaves.
5. Make a paste-like dough by adding water to the mixture.
6. Take the cut opened mussel and fill it with the rice mix and half close the shell. Fill all the mussels in a similar way.
7. Steam the mussels till they are cooked [it should take approximately 20-25 minutes]
8. Remove the mussels from the steamer and allow them to cool down completely. It can be served this way.
9. The most popular version of Arikadukka is the one that is fried, wherein the steamed mussels are deshelled.
10. A paste with Kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric, garlic paste, sea salt and fennel powder is made using 1 tablespoon of water.
11. Heat coconut oil in a pan and fry each stuffed mussel after marinating with the masala. Fry till golden brown and serve hot.

About Ashwin RajagopalanI am the proverbial slashie – a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary discoveries.That curiosity hasn’t waned. It’s only got stronger as I’ve explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I’ve discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel.