Cardamom
The Tamil name for Cardamom is "Elakkai".
In present day, Tamil cuisine and in general Indian cuisine, Cardamom plays a major role.
In Tamil cusine, there are various ways of using "Elakkai":
Cardamom pods:
This is one important spice that is used for cooking veg and non-veg foods, curries and side dishes and above all desserts. Desserts are delicious and healthy and gives a unique "Indian" taste when cardamom is added.
Cardamom powder:
Cardamom powder are mostly used for sweets and desserts. For example: Kesari. You can mill cardamom into powder at home using a mixer mill.
Popular dish where Cardamom is used:
Almost all desserts/sweets, two of them that quickly comes to your mind is Payasam and Kesari.
Also Briyani's and in non-veg dishes.
Spelling variations in Tamil name for Cardamom:
Elakkai, Yelakkai, Yehlakkai, Yelachai, Elachai, Yelukkayi, Elakayi