Arikadukka (Fried Stuffed Mussels)
- Details
Arikkadukka is a popular snack of the Malabar region in Kerala. It is deep fried stuffed Mussels. I have been craving for this snack for a long time. While I was looking to order fish online, I found that Mussels were available. Without missing a moment, I placed an order. Next was to make sure I had all in the ingredients in stock. Thankfully I did. As I had already done a research on cleaning mussels, I didn’t have to struggle much.
While I was busy in the kitchen, my parents, who are visiting us, came and enquired what I was preparing. On mentioning the name, they were also curious as they too had never tasted Ari kadukka. I wasn’t very hopeful about D liking it. But to my surprise, he ended up having 2-3 of them and giving a thumbs up. Even J and my parents loved it.

Arikadukka (Fried Stuffed Mussels)
Ingredients
- 15-18 Mussels
- 2 cups Rice flour (Puttu podi)
- 3/4 cup Grated Coconut
- 10-12 shallots
- 1/4" piece Ginger
- 1-2 Green chilli
- 2 teaspoons Fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- as required Water
- to taste Salt
- for deep frying Oil
For the Coating
- 2 tablespoons Chilli powder (or more)
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Fennel powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic paste
- to taste Salt
- as required Water
Instructions
- Make sure the mussels you have are open. Discard the ones that are closed.
- Scrub them clean and open the mussels a bit wider. Remove the beard and clean each mussel by holding under running water.
- Make sure the mussels are open wide enough to be stuffed. You may widen it by pulling both sides.
- Grind the coconut, shallots, ginger, green chilli, fennel seeds and cumin seeds to a coarse mixture.
- Keep aside.
- Take rice flour in a bowl.
- Add the ground mixture and mix well.
- Boil water with salt in a pan and keep aside.
- Pour the boiling water into the rice flour mixture and mix well to form a smooth dough.
- Take a small portion off the dough and stuff each mussel as shown in the picture.
- Continue the procedure till all mussels are stuffed.
- Place all the stuffed mussels in a steamer and steam for about 15-20 minutes or till the dough is cooked though.
- Allow to cook completely.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl, take the chilli powder, turmeric powder, fennel powder, garlic paste and salt.
- Add water and make a slightly runny batter.
- Heat oil for deep frying.
- Dip each mussel in the batter.
- Drop in hot oil and fry till golden brown on all sides.
- Transfer to an absorbent paper.
- Serve hot.