Kaadai Varuval

Whole quail (kaadai) split and marinated in a spice paste of red chilli, garam masala, ginger-garlic, and sesame oil, then deep-fried until the bones turn crisp and the skin crackles. Quail fry is a signature Kongunadu delicacy — served hot with sliced shallots and a squeeze of lime as an appetiser or side in roadside eateries from Coimbatore to Erode.