Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Nendrabale Kele Bajo/Ripe Banana Fritters.


"Nendrabale Kele Bajo (Bajia) / Ripe Banana Fritters (Fries)" ... These are Delicious deep fried fritters/ bajos prepared from south Indian cooking bananas, the bananas are sweeter in taste while they are dipped in spicy batter to be fried, the combo is an excellent spicy-sweet bajos ... Yummilicious .... 

** Nendrabale Kele are ripe bananas that are consumed either cooked, deep fried or steamed. These bananas are never consumed as it is as it is considered to be difficult to digest if done so. Many types of dishes are prepared using them, the raw once are used in preparation of the famous banana wafers/chips, while the ripe ones are famous for bajias/bajos/fritters. Both raw and ripe one's are used in curries too. Bajos/fritters are the most popular snack from Konkani Saraswat Cuisine that is prepared and served at all types of functions and festivals. Children love them as they are sweeter too with just a dash of spiciness.


** Here is the simple recipe for preparation of "Nendrabale Kele Bajo (Bajia) / Ripe Banana Fritters (Fries)" .... traditional Konkani Style ... 

** Slice off both the edge parts of the ripe banana/nendrabale kele and then slice them into 1/3 inch thickness roundels with the skin on. Keep them ready aside.

** Note : You can also peel of the skin of the ripe nendrabale banana (a thick and long south Indian variety of banana) and then cut them into thick round slices of 1/3 inch thickness too. But usually it is cut with skin on so that it does not dry up and the skin is removed just before preparing the bajos.


** To prepare the Batter : In a bowl add in 1 cup of besan (Bengal gram flour), 1 tblsp of spicy red chilly powder, 1 tblsp of hing water or ½ tsp of hing powder (Asafoetida) and salt to taste. Mix well to form a thick batter of dipping consistency. The batter should be smooth without any lumps and should coat the back of a spoon thickly and not slip off easily.

** To prepare the Bajos/Bajias/Fritter : Heat plenty of oil in a thick bottomed kadai/pan for deep frying. Once it reaches smoking point, lower heat to medium and wait for about 5 minutes. Now dip each piece of banana into the batter and swirl it so that it coats the banana slices evenly on all sides and then gently slide it into the hot oil. 

** Add in a few pieces at a time depending upon the size of the pan and the amount of oil. Do not overcrowd the kadai, there should be some space for the bajos to get evenly cooked. After a few minutes stir the bajo and flip them over to cook them evenly. Once the bajos/fritters are done and evenly browned remove with the help of a slotted/ringed spatula on an absorbent paper to drain off excess oil.


** "Nendrabale Kele Bajo (Bajia) / Ripe Banana Fritters (Fries)"  is done and ready to be served. Serve them hot with as a snack or with other breakfast dishes and relish the same. We Amchies usually serve them as it is but you can serve them with chutney or tomato ketchup too. Children love to dunk them in ketchup and relish the same.

** Do try out these bajos/fritters/bajias and enjoy with your family and friends. Nendrabale kele is available almost all round the world now, you can check out the attached picture collage for reference if you are novice to this particular bananas. These are excellent in taste and you must give it a try. 

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