Unnakkaya / Stuffed Banana Fritters

This can be served as a snack or a sweet. It is mostly enjoyed by kids. A great way to make them eat banana, dry fruits and nuts.

This dish is made using ripe plantains (widely found in Kerala). The raw plantains are used to make banana chips which is popular in Kerala.



Ingredients

2 Ripe Plantains
10 Cashew nuts (finely chopped)
10 Almonds (finely chopped)
10 Raisins (finely chopped)
5 Dates (finely chopped)
1/2 cup Coconut (freshly grated)
4 tbsp Poppy seeds
2 tbsp Honey
Oil for frying


Method

• Cut the plantains into half, horizontally and put it in a steamer. Steam it till cooked.
• Once done, take off from the steamer and keep aside to cool.
• In the mean time, prepare the filling. In a non stick pan, dry roast chopped cashew nuts, almonds, raisins, dates, figs, poppy seeds and grated coconut. 
• When the coconut turns its colour slightly, and a nice aroma comes out, take off from heat and keep aside to cool.
• Mash the plantains nicely.
• Take a small ball from the mashed plantain and gently spread it on your palm.
• Place a small spoonful of the filling and gently bring together all the edges of the plantain and roll it into any shape of your choice.
• Do the same procedure for the rest of the mashed plantains.
• Heat oil in a kadai.
• Put the stuffed banana fritters in the hot oil and let it cook till all the sides are golden brown colour. 
• Once done, take off from oil and transfer them on to a kitchen towel.
• Serve it hot.

Note: 

1. You can shallow fry the stuffed banana fritters/Unnakkaya in less oil also.
2. Instead of honey, you can add sugar.
3. Any dry fruits or nuts like figs, walnuts etc..can be included in the stuffing.
4. The banana used for this dish should not be too ripe, or else it will be difficult to stuff the filling in it.
5. If some of the filling is left, just sprinkle them on the top of the fritters while serving.

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Happy Cooking!!

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