Chatti Pathiri is a layered pastry made in the North Malabar

North Malabar

North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...

 and Malabar region, of Kerala State. It is made in both sweet and savoury variations. The dish is very similar to the Italian lasagna

Lasagna

Lasagna is a wide and flat type of pasta and possibly one of the oldest shapes. As with most other pasta shapes, the word is generally used in its plural form lasagne in Italy and the U.K. Traditionally, the dough was prepared in Southern Italy with semolina and water and in the northern regions,...

. Instead of pasta; pastry sheets / pancakes made with flour, egg, oil and water is used in this recipe. The filling depends on the variation desired. The sweet ones are made with sweetened beaten eggs, nuts and raisins, seasoned with cardamom

Cardamom

Cardamom refers to several plants of the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to India and Bhutan; they are recognised by their small seed pod, triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin papery outer shell and small black seeds...

. The savoury ones are made with traditional meat filling used in making samosas or savoury puffs. Once layered, it goes in for baking at 180 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. An essential ingredient to enhance the authenticity of the dish is the white poppy seeds

Poppy Seeds

Poppy Seeds, released in 1971, was the second and final studio album from Vancouver, British Columbia band The Poppy Family. The album has yet to be released on modern formats and remains a rare vinyl....

, used extensively in Malabar cuisine while making biryani

Biryani

Biryani, biriani, or beriani is a set of rice-based foods made with spices, rice and meat, fish, eggs or vegetables. The name is derived from the Persian word beryā which means "fried" or "roasted"....

 and meat stews.

It is considered an essential part of any festival, pre- and post-wedding events, and Iftar

Iftar

Iftar , refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib time...

.

Other dishes available in Malabar cuisine

Name	Main Ingredients	Serving Suggestions
Pathiri Pathiri Pathiri is a pancake made of rice flour. It is part of the local cuisine among the Mappilas of North Malabar and Malabar in Kerala State of Southern India. Crushed rice is made into a white dough and baked on pans called oadu...	Rice Flour, Salt and Water	Flat Bread or Rice Tortilla
Unnakai	Banana (Plantain), Nuts, Egg, Clarified Butter	Evening Snack