Raw banana plantains/ vazhakkai bhajji is a south Indian delicacy, this bhajjis are deep fried, spicy, crispy and tasty. In north bhajjis are referred as pakoras or bhajjiyas but you won’t find raw banana fritters in north India.
Raw bananas are rich in fibre, comprises of essential minerals and vitamins, good for diabetics good for heart and helps in weight loss.
This bhajji is an evening time snack served with tea or coffee. During rainy days this is a perfect evening tea time snack. In this recipe banana is sliced, dipped in part chickpea flour and rice flour, fresh masalas are added and then deep fried in oil.
INGREDIENTS
- Besan/ chick pea flour 3/4 cup
- Rice flour 1/4 cup
- Raw banana chopped finely 1
- Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
- Refined oil 1 cup
- Salt to taste
FOR MASALA PASTE
- Asafoetida powder 1/4 tsp
- Garlic 2-3
- Green chilies 2-3
- Cumin seeds 1/2
- Coriander leaves chopped a handful
METHOD
Wash , peel the raw plantain/banana and chop finely in circles and dip it in water or it becomes discoloured.
In a mortar and pestle nicely make a paste of green chilies, cumin seeds, asafoetida, coriander leaves and garlic. Keep it aside.
In a large bowl add chickpea flour and rice flour and mix well. Add the masala paste and salt, mix well. We need a thick batter so slowly add water little by little and make a thick batter.
Drain off the water from the sliced plaintains and add to the batter and mix well. Check for salt.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan/kadai. Add a drop of batter it should come on top, oil is ready for frying. Gently add one by one slices with a spoon or hand into the hot oil at medium heat and fry on both sides till golden brown. This can be fried in batches so that it doesn’t stick to each other. Take it out in an absorbent paper.
Serve hot with any green chutney, tamarind chutney or spicy tomato sauce as evening snack with tea or coffee.
