Unnakaya

#Unnakaya

Unnakkaya is delicious, sweet and traditional Kerala snack prepared mainly in the Northern Kerala (in Malabar, Kannur, Thalassery etc) during the Ramzan days. Its very popular in other parts of Kerala also during the Ramadan (Ramazan) fasting time. It is prepared by filling smashed bananas stuffed with cashew nuts, raisins and rice flakes.

Ingredients

5 - Ripe plantains /Nenthrapazham

1 cup -Grated coconut

3 Tbsp or as needed - Sugar

2 Tbsp - Raisins

4 Tbsp - Almonds/ cashew nuts (roughly chopped)

1 Tsp-Cardamom powder

1 - Egg (optional)

1 pinch - Salt

1 Tbsp - Ghee

Oil for deep frying

Unnakkaya preparation

· Boil the banana, peel off the skin and mash well and keep aside.

· Heat ghee in frying pan and stir-fry cashew nut and raisins along with coconut and Cardamom together. Add sugar to the mix and stir well.

· Remove from the stove and allow it to cool.

· Mix cardamom powder.

· Apply a touch of ghee on both the palms. Divide the mashed bananas into evenly sized small balls.

· Press a little with the help of a thump and stuff the mixture carefully inside and seal both the ends and give a shape of unnakkaya (Shape it into cylinder).

· Heat the oil in a deep bottomed pan and deep fry the bananas into golden yellow in color.

· Serve them hot.