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Arikkadukka - Malabar stuffed mussels, fried golden and served with lime.

Recipe · 5 hr 10 min · About 20 mussels

Arikkadukka recipe (Malabar stuffed mussels)

Authentic Arikkadukka (Kallummakkaya Nirachathu) - mussels stuffed with a spiced rice-and-coconut paste, steamed in the shell, then marinated and fried. A north Malabar coastal delicacy.

By Abdulla K P

A genuine Malabar speciality

Arikkadukka is the kind of dish that doesn’t travel - it needs fresh mussels in the shell and a bit of patience - which is exactly why it’s so prized along the Malabar coast. The two-stage method (steam in the shell, then marinate and fry) is essential: it’s what cooks the rice stuffing through and then crisps it.

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Frequently asked

  • What is Arikkadukka?

    Arikkadukka - also called Kallummakkaya Nirachathu - is a north Malabar delicacy of mussels stuffed with a spiced rice-and-coconut paste, steamed in the shell, then taken out, marinated in a chilli-spice mix and fried until crisp. It's a celebrated coastal snack, especially around Kannur and Thalassery, and a Ramadan favourite.

  • Why steam first and then fry?

    Steaming cooks the raw rice stuffing through inside the shell; frying afterwards crisps the outside and sets the spicy marinade. Skipping the steam leaves the rice paste undercooked.

  • Where is Arikkadukka from?

    It's a speciality of the north Malabar coast - Kannur, Thalassery and surrounding areas - where fresh mussels (kallummakkaya) are abundant.

  • Can I use frozen mussels?

    Fresh mussels in the shell are essential, because the dish is stuffed and steamed in the shell. Pre-shelled or frozen mussel meat won't work for the traditional method.