Coconut forms another versatile means of food and occupation. No part of the tree and fruit are wasted. The shells are used to make handicraft objects, spoons, ladles, etc. Therefore coconut related industries provide large amount of employment to its populace. Though lovers of seafoods, many interesting dishes which are vegetarian carry the typical keralite flavour.
Rice is staple and the womenfolk find innumerable ways of using it as an ingredient.
Many delicious recipes are becoming popular, as tourist traffic in this region has increased in recent years. One interesting point to note that all cooking is done in coconut oil. This impart a very different and distinct flavour to cuisine from this region. Spices like cardamom, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, fennel and ginger also form important sectors for trade. Kerala's spices have been the apple of the eyes of foreigners from centuries.