12 Must-Haves for Your Onam Sadya Menu

10. Banana Chips (Upperi)

Banana chips, called upperi in Kerala, are thin, crisp slices of raw banana fried until golden. They act as a crunchy starter and a familiar snack on the sadya leaf, offering texture contrast with softer dishes. For home cooks, making them involves slicing raw green bananas thinly and deep-frying in coconut oil until crisp, then salting. If raw bananas aren't easy to find, green plantains can work, though the flavor shifts slightly. Many US Indian grocery stores sell packaged Kerala-style banana chips that are close to homemade taste and save time on a busy festival day. Difficulty: Medium if frying; Easy if bought ready-made. Time: 30–45 minutes homemade, 0 minutes if store-bought. Serving tip: Keep chips in a dry container until serving so they remain crisp.