"Kaanagam Ugandha kaali thaarakan paeruram kiziththa pen" - This is how silappathikaram introduces the goddess.
We need to distinguish between "Amman temples" and Kali temple. Kali was one of the sapthamathas and this group of icons were given place inside the temple long back. We see sapthamathas in kailaasanatha temple of kanchi itself. Later on kali moves out of sapthamathas and chamundi takes her place.
There is a miniature of kaali in Punjai temple that belongs Parantaka chola period - Kaali dancing in graveyard with a ghost in company... she will infact be putting one of her hands over the shoulder of this ghost - several ghosts looking by - amazing icon !
Separate temples to goddess kali is not a common phenomena - that makes thiruvalanchuzhi Ekaveeri very special
The amman or consort of the main god was always worshiped in bronze form and got a separate temple only in kulothunga days - they were called "thirukkamak kottam"