“Tava Fried Harve Kele Podi (Raw Banana Fries)” …podi/ fries is loved by almost all and it’s almost a must during festive meals … made these tava fried raw banana podi/ fries by slicing them lengthwise to be served during meals and they turned out perfect crispy yet soft within … Yummilicious …
** Podi/ fries are a common side dish from GSB Konkani Saraswat Cuisine prepared to be served during meals. These are thin slices of veggies/ tubers that are spiced and left to rest after which they are either deep fried/ shallow fried/ tava fried/ air fried as per one’s own choice. They taste awesome and though deep fried one’s rank on top, one has to compromise a little bit when it comes to healthy options. In addition, once you get used to tava fried method with minimum oil, you will be glad you did so.
** I prepared these spicy podi’s/ fries using cooking variety raw bananas by slicing the whole banana lengthwise as they were small in size. Just add a thin film of oil on tava while frying them and then top them also by brushing with oil, in between cooking process before flipping them over, I sprinkle some water and cook them to maintain softness within the podi/ fries and they turn out perfect- soft within and crispy outward. Try it, its healthy and taste best served hot right out of the tava steaming hot.
** Here is simple method of preparing “Tava Fried Harve Kele Podi (Raw Banana Fries)” … my style, simple and healthy ….
** Ingredients :
Harve Upkari Kele/ Raw Banana/ Kacha Kela/ Balekayi : 2 small sized
Kashmiri Chilly Powder/ Mirsange Pitti/ Mirchi Tikkat/ Menansisna Hudi : 2 tblsp
Haldi/ Turmeric Powder : ¼ tsp
Hing/ Asafoetida Powder : ½ to 1 tsp
Amchur/ Raw Mango Powder : ½ tsp
Oil/ Tel/ Tela : as required
Salt/ Namak/ Meeta : to taste
** For Dusting :
Bombay Rava/ Rulavu : 2-3 tblsp
Salt/ Namak/ Meeta : a pinch
** Peel off the outer skin of small sized Raw Banana’s either with a sharp knife as thinly as possible or using string method. Slice the bananas lengthwise taking care to see that you make them sliced evenly say 1/6 inch thickness using a sharp knife. Add them into a bowl full of water immediately to avoid discoloring.
** Note : The slices should be neither too thick nor too thin and should be evenly sliced for perfect results while tava frying.
** Let the raw banana slices soak in water for 10-15 minutes after which drain off the water, rinse well and then add into a colander and let rest aside for all the excess water to be drained off completely, this is important step so do not skip it. You can also spread it on a thick cloth and pat it slightly dry if need be.
** Now add the sliced raw bananas in a large bowl and add in all the spices (kashmiri chilly powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida powder, raw mango powder, oil, salt to taste and toss well taking care to see that all the spices added are evenly coated to the raw banana slices. Do not worry if you find the slices dry, the veggies always leave water on resting and all the spices will be evenly coated to the slices.
** Note : Here is my method which I have been following for almost 3 decades to evenly coat the veggie slices. I just add the slices into a stainless steel wide mouthed dabba/ box, add the spice, cover the lid tightly and the keep tossing and rolling the box on all sides for 1-2 minutes. Trust me, when you open the lid you will find that all the veggie pieces have been evenly coated with the spices, def. a quick way.
** Cover the bowl with a tight lid or like me if you use a box do so and keep it in the fridge to marinate for 1-2 hours. I sometimes prepare this either in the morning or late in the night and keep it in the fridge and trust me it remains well for almost 48 hours and can be used as and when required, saves time and energy too.
** For Dusting : On a flat plate mix fine (chiroti) rava with salt and spread it evenly. Keep it aside ready to be used for dusting slices.
** For Tava Frying the Harve Kele/ Raw Banana Slices : Heat a large sized non stick tava for 2-3 minutes until its heated thoroughly. Lightly brush the tava with oil/ tel maintaining a thin film of oil all over the pan (do not add excess. Now dust each spice coated raw banana slice on the prepared and kept dusting powder to evenly coat on both sides and place them evenly spread on the steaming hot tava.
** Let the slices fry for 2-3 minutes, then brush the top surface of the raw banana slices lightly with oil and let cook for another minute. Now sprinkle some water on the tava, be careful and maintain a distance as the tava will sizzle and water droplets may splutter. Let cook for a minute and then lower the heat to minimum and let cook for another 2-3 minutes. Now gently flip over the raw banana slices and let cook on the other side too until done (say for 4-5 minutes). Lastly raise the heat and let cook for another 2 minutes until crisp on both the sides, remove and place them on an absorbent paper.
** Note : This method has worked fine for me and I hardly use more than 2 tablespoons of oil for a tava full of fries, however, If you find the slices too dry while frying, then you can brush a little bit of oil over the raw bananas if desired.
** Continue with remaining raw banana slices repeating the same procedure mentioned above all over again until all the slices or required number of slices are tava fried and done. You can keep the leftover in fridge if desired.
** “Tava Fried Harve Kele Podi (Raw Banana Fries)” are done and ready to be served. Podi/ Fries are often served during meals with other dishes though if desired you can always relish them as snack with any chutney or your choice or with tomato ketchup/ dip of your choice too. Tava fried veggies taste best served hot and fresh directly from tava without letting them rest as they somehow lose out on taste. I prepared these to be served during meals along with other dishes and it tasted awesome.
** Sharing common link below to more “Podi/ Fries” recipes that includes all methods of frying be it tava fry, deep fry, air fry or otherwise. Please browse through in leisure and try them as and when convenient ….
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