The revenge of mathi: Kerala’s sardine season is officially back

Kannur right now feels less like Kerala and more like Swallow Falls from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Except instead of people screaming “Sardines are super gross!”, Malayalis are lining up for second servings of mathi curry.

After two years of heartbreak-level scarcity, sardines have returned to the Kannur coast in blockbuster style. Fishing boats at Puthiyangadi, Palakkode, Thalai, Azhikkal and Ayikkara are hauling in nets so full of mathi that even Flint Lockwood would probably call it “a weather event.” Fishermen say cooler coastal waters and favourable weather finally brought the silver stars back.

For those who grew up with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, this is basically the alternate ending where Swallow Falls discovers that sardines were never the villain. In the movie, the island’s entire economy collapsed because the world suddenly decided sardines were “super gross,” leaving everyone trapped in an endless canned-fish nightmare. Kerala, meanwhile, looked at that plotline and said: “Skill issue...tch...tch.”

In fact, mathi season here has become so good that traders from other states are arriving in Kerala just to buy sardines. Tamil Nadu to Bengal may have trawling bans right now, but Kannur’s fish markets are operating like the FLDSMDFR accidentally switched from cheeseburgers to premium oily fish.

And yes, “sardine” itself has surprisingly glamorous origins. The name comes from Sardinia, the Italian island famous for massive sardine populations. So every time you order mathi fry, you are technically participating in Mediterranean branding history.

Tiny fish, massive nutrition
The current catch is especially prized because these are “neymathi” — plump, oily sardines packed with flavour and roe. They have dark green backs, shiny silver sides and enough omega-3 fatty acids to make nutritionists emotional. Rich in calcium, Vitamin D, B12 and phosphorus, mathi is basically a tiny protein-packed superhero disguised as budget seafood.

Also, unlike the people of Swallow Falls, Malayalis actually know what to do with sardines. Fry them crisp with chilli, simmer them in kudampuli curry, or freeze cleaned portions in water to keep them fresh for days. Survival of the fishiest.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the ocean, sharks, whales and tuna are still the official predators of mathi. But in Kerala, the real apex predator is the uncle who hears “fresh mathi vannittundu” and appears at the fish market in under three minutes.