A Tryst With ‘Egg Roast’

My favourite souvenir isn’t something I bought; it’s a simple dish from Kerala, India

6 min readJul 30, 2026

In a dish, a steamed rice cake is served along with a boiled egg coated with browned masala onions over it. — Egg Roast with Puttu | Photo by Author

Myriad of our memories are associated with food, whether it’s a place or a person. I’ve found myself getting emotional over something as simple as chipotle fries. Before I even realize what’s happening, memories flood in and bypass the mind, going straight to the heart.

It’s been a while since I visited Kerala, a state in the southwestern region of India. Ever since, I’ve been wandering through its memories.

And the other day, while making a simple dish … I added chopped ginger and garlic to coconut oil. Its aroma instantly transported me to the state of Kerala — and also defined the state of my longing. I was making Mutta Roast.

What is Mutta Roast?

When boiled eggs are roasted in a masala gravy made from ginger, garlic, onions, spice powders, lime juice, and curry leaves, it’s known as Mutta Roast. And it’s enjoyed with almost any meal of the day.

“Mutta” simply means “egg” in Malayalam, one of many languages in India. Traditionally, Mutta Roast is made with either duck eggs or eggs from native hens raised at home.