Chicken and halwa. Have you heard of this strange combination? Visit the Kozhikkoden Halwa Fest at West Kallayi and be amazed, for the delicious chicken halwa is the highlight of the fest.
Prepared using a combination of halwa mixture and powder of dried chicken, the halwa is a perfect dish for non-veg gourmets. Within no time, it has grabbed many admirers too.
“I have never heard about chicken halwa and never tasted it before, but now I wonder why I took such a long time to try this fantastic dish,” says Satheesh, an IT professional in Bangalore.
Guava halwa is another attraction of the one-week-long fest, which offers a rare opportunity for the people to taste some of the best varieties of halwa. Mayor A K Premajam inaugurated the fest, being held at the Friday Club near Chemmangad police station.
The other flavours on offer are pineapple, mango, chocolate, cornflakes, rice, masala, mixed fruit, tender coconut etc. Halwas made of both ghee and coconut oil are available. The price ranges from `70 for ordinary varieties to `350.
Small take-home containers worth `150 are also available at the stall.
“We are planning to export halwas from Kozhikode to foreign countries and this fest is a part of it,” said Isahak, one of the fest officials.
Kabeer Haji, a native of Kozhikode and a coordinator of the fest, said the climate and water conditions here provided the right mix for halwa production. “I have made halwas in the UAE, Saudi and many other places, but I couldn’t find the right taste and mix anywhere else,” he added.
The Halwa Fest is being organised by the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi district committee along with the Halwa Owners Association. You can visit the stall between 10 am and 10 pm. The fest will be on till May 15.
Minister M K Muneer will be the guest during the closing ceremony. “We are also planning to honour former halwa merchants and workers on the occasion,” says Kabeer Haji.