Pazham pori( Ripe plantain fritters)

Nenthra pazham(Ripe plantain) is a variety of plantain which is grown in South India. It is similar to the plantains we get in different parts of the world . Raw and ripe plantains are widely used by Keralites in making snacks and side dishes. Banana chips are an integral part of a Kerala sadhya(feast) and it is fried in homes for special occasions and festivals like onam, vishu etc.

Ripe plantain/ nenthra pazham is steamed and served along with the breakfast. It is also used to make snacks for evening tea.It is rich in carbohydrate and potassium. My amma used to steam it and serve it hot as an evening snack when back from school. Pazham pori (banana fritters) made from ripe plantains is a favorite snack, because of its taste and ease of preparation. Bananas are found in almost every households, any day anytime.So needless to say that it is an impromptu snack to prepare quickly when you have a guest. On my way back home from school, everyday I had to pass a tea shop. It had all kind of snacks, specially the fried ones, well arranged in a glass shelf. Each time I used to give a quick glance at those goodies wondering what my amma would have made for that evening. Normally it will be steamed goodies which she prepares as evening snack. But once in a while she prepares fried ones too. And when I reach the gate of my house itself I will know if she is frying something. Pazham pori will be hot and crispy, ready to be served waiting for me and my sister. My amma used less of maida and more of rice flour in preparing the batter to make the fritters, her explanation being, maida is refined and unhealthy. She also started replacing maida/ all purpose flour with whole wheat flour.

Here in US, this fruit is hardly found in grocery shops. I used to buy the raw ones which are starting to ripe (peel will be slightly yellow) and keep them in a warm place and within a few days it will be ripe enough. But its taste doesn't come anywhere near the ones we get back in India. This week, I  was so happy to see ripe bananas in the fruit aisle. I grabbed a few and made these snacks the next day itself.
For last few weeks, I have been wanting to have these fritters after watching a malayalam movie' Salt and Pepper'.
A nice shot of bananas flipping into the hot oil from the movie was indeed mouth watering!!
Do try it out!

Ingredients:

• Ripe plantain                     - 2
• Rice powder                      - 1cup
• All purpose flour/Maida    - 2 tbsp
• Cardamom powder             - 1/2 tsp
• Cloves(crushed)                 - 2-3 crushed
• Turmeric powder               -  1/4 tsp(optional)
• Sugar                                   - 2tbsp(add more or reduce the quantity according to the taste)
• Salt                                     -  1/2 tsp/ to taste
• Oil                                      -  to fry

Method:

• Slit the peel of the banana lengthwise using a knife and remove it. Then cut it into half and slice it lengthwise, to form thin wedges(see the picture shown)

• Prepare the dipping batter by mixing the  rice flour along with rest of the ingredients mentioned, except oil. The batter shouldn't be too thick or watery.
• Check the batter to see if more salt or sugar is required.
• Heat oil in a pan and allow it to reach the required temperature.
• Dip each banana slices in the batter and carefully slip each of them to the hot oil. Do not over crowd  the slices.

• Fry it in batches. When one side becomes golden yellow flip it and let it get cooked on the other side.I like a golden tinge on the edges of the fritters. If you like it that way just allow the fritters to be in the oil for a few more seconds.

• Remove it to an absorbent / tissue paper to remove the excess oil.
• Serve it hot, with a hot cup of tea! Happy slurping!!

Notes:

• Try to maintain the temperature of the oil through out frying. If it is lower than the required level the fritters will absorb oil and if the temperature is higher it will get burnt.
• Cardamom and cloves are added to give it a fragrance. I just love it that way.