Unnakkaya / Coconut-filled Banana Fritters

Another mouth watering Ifthar sweet. :)

 

Ingredients (Makes 6 pieces)

Banana(Nethrapazham) : 3 nos(Not too ripe)
Grated Coconut: 1 Cup

Cashew nuts/Raisins: 2 Table Spoon
Sugar: 2 Tablespoon (Can increase or decrease as per the sweetness required)
Cardamom Powder: 1/4 Tea Spoon

Ghee: 2 Table Spoon
Oil/Ghee: For Frying

Cooking time: 10 to 12 minutes
Method

Steam the banana for 4 to 5 minutes so that it gets cooked  and becomes soft.  Do not over cook as you will not get the desired texture for the mix

Peel off the skin and using a knife cut through the middle length wise and remove the black seeds
Mash it well preferably with hands without any lumps.(Do not add water.)
The mix should be like mashed potatoes
In a pan, heat 1 table spoon of ghee and fry the cashew nuts and then add raisins.Add grated coconut and sugar.

Mix everything well till the coconut becomes soft and the sugar starts to melt
Add cardamom powder to the coconut mix
Apply little ghee in your hands
Take a lemon sized ball of the banana mix and flatten it in your palm
Keep the coconut mix in the center and close the edges and press slightly and roll it in between your palms

Heat oil/ghee in a pan add put the unnakkaya into it and fry in medium heat till it becomes brown in color
Make sure you turn the unnakkaya to all sides so that it gets cooked evenly
Serve Warm

Note

The banana should not be too ripe.
If it is too ripe or over cooked you wont get the correct texture.  The banana mix will be little watery.
If so you can add a little rice flour or wrap the banana mix in a cotton cloth and keep aside for some time.
You can try variations by adding sweet scrambled egg or poppy seeds or any other dry fruit