Paratha/Parotta or Porotta (Malayalam: പൊറോട്ട) is an Subcontinental layered flatbread made from maida/wheat flour. It is very common in Punjab Region,Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and widely available in other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra and countries like Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka.

Paratha
Alternative names: Porotta, Parotta, Malabar porotta
Type: Flatbread , crispy multi layered bread
Place of origin: Subcontinent
Region or state: [Punjab region, Subcontinent]
Main ingredients: Maida/Wheat flour, ghee or oil

Porottas (Parathas) are often available as street food and in restaurants across Punjab,Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. At some places it is also served at weddings, religious festivals and feasts. It is prepared by kneading maida/wheat flour, egg (in some recipes), oil or ghee and water. The dough is beaten into thin layers and later forming a round spiralled into a ball using these thin layers. The ball is rolled flat and pan fried.

Porottas/ Parathas are commonly eaten with vegetable kurma/korma, chicken, fish, mutton or beef curry. They are also served stuffed with vegetables such as potatoes or raddish which are then eaten with yoghurt or raita (mint yoghurt). Chilli parotta and kothu parotta are prepared using parottas.

History
Porottas are believed to have originated in Punjab Region across the subcontinent, commonly known as Parathas/Paranthas.

Types of parotta

Poricha Parotta

The dough is prepared the same way as coin parotta. However, after grilling the parotta in a pan, it is shallow fried in oil.
Poricha parotta is famous in Thoothukudi.

Multi-layered parotta, fluffy and soft. Favourite among residents of Madurai

Bun Parotta

Version of madurai parotta made into a bun size bake. Softest of all parotta.

Kothu Parotta

Originated in Madurai and popular in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka prepared by chopping parotta into small pieces and mixing with egg, chicken, mutton, salna to prepare the dish. Popular variants are Egg kothu, chicken & mutton kothu, chilli kothu and vegetarian kotu. (Tamil word "Kothu" means "To chop" hence the name Kothu Parotta)

Ceylon Parotta

Two layered parotta usually with stuffing in between. Often rectangle in shape

Kerala Parotta

Kerala parotta, popularly known as paratha or porotta, is a delicacy from the state of Kerala.

©Wikipedia