Karimeen Pollichathu / Kerala-Style Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves

I was recently back home in Kottayam for three weeks and my bro was also there on a vacation from Dubai. So was my sis from Trichy. So all of us were craving for some karimeen pollichathu, a toddy shop specialty which is basically pomfret or pearl fish cooked wrapped in banana leaves. The monsoons have been acting up this year and the toddy shops were making use of the opportunity and selling one fish at 150rs. Considering we are around 6-7 members in the house, we decided to cut the costs by preparing this at home. Mom immediately turned to me since she was not very comfy with making it on her own. I have experimented with Sardines/Mathi when I was in college, but with karimeen, one couldn't afford to experiment and mess up since it's an expensive fish. Anyway, I decided to give it a shot and at the end of it all, we were all pretty happy 🙂

PinThe marinated fish ready to be wrapped and fried

KARIMEEN POLLICHATHU

Ingredients:

Pearl Spot / Karimeen - 4, cleaned and slit on the side (you can also use pomfret)
For the spice paste:
Shallots - 10
Onions - 1 big
Ginger - a 2" piece
Garlic - 10 cloves
Chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Pepper powder - 2 tsp
Vinegar - 2 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 strands
Salt - to taste

Coconut oil - for frying
Tender banana leaves - to wrap the fish in while cooking

How I Made It:

1. Make a paste with all the ingredients mentioned.

2. Marinate the fish well in the paste. It may not completely stick to the fish, but make sure that it is mostly covered.

3. Place the fish in the banana leaf and wrap gently.

4. Pour some oil in a wok. Gently place the wrapped fish in, close with a lid and cook on a low fire till both sides are done. This took me around 30 mins, per fish.

Garnish with onion rings, tomatoes, cucumber and a piece of lime.

The same recipe may be followed by big-sized sardines too, but I am not sure if it will come out well for canned sardines. I have only used fesh sardines and they come out nice and soft. The masala makes sure that the unpleasant smell of sardines is completely masked.

Comments

Deepa Jose

April 21, 2011 at 9:37 am

Hi Sis,gonna try this for coming easter!! 🙂

Anonymous

April 01, 2010 at 2:03 pm

i live in the uk and we cannot get banana leaves here.is there an alternate option?

Anonymous

August 15, 2009 at 5:18 am

this is definitely not meen polichathu... dont try to fool people.....

Nags

August 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

anon - this is how i make meen pollichathu. if you have a different recipe that's not my concern. this is a site where i feature recipes that i try, my way. if that bothers you, feel free to close the window and get out.

Anonymous

July 15, 2008 at 9:06 am

i live in the uk and we cannot get banana leaves here.is there an alternate option?

Nags

July 15, 2008 at 9:08 am

u can try using aluminium baking foil and bake it instead of fry. its healthier that way too! the flavour will be different but definitely yummy 🙂 try it and let me know

The Scatterbrain

May 29, 2008 at 4:53 am

aaah! Karimeen Pollichathu! definitely droolworthy! I was surprised to learn that this recipe originated from the toddy shops of kerala! I have only had this at posh 5star weddings and such!
Am definitely going to try this out... but where i will find good karimeen is the question! Am no good at shopping for fish!

SteamyKitchen

October 27, 2007 at 12:59 pm

You are right...that last fish is UGLY!!!!

😉

xoxo
jaden

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