Unnakai (Banana Spindles)

Banana Spindles (Unnakai)

Preparation time:15 min                           VEGETARIAN

Cooking time: 5 min

Cuisine: Indian

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INGREDIENTS:

1 Ripe banana (plantain-must not be too ripe)

½ cup coconut grated

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. cashew nuts (to be crushed to smaller pieces)

1 tbsp. raisins

¼tsp. cardamom powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder (for garnishing)

1 tbsp. ghee

Oil for deep frying

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PREPARATION

1.      Place the banana in a microwave oven and cook it for 2 minutes.

2.      Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.

3.      Peel the skin out and then mash the banana with your hands.

4.      In a pan, heat the ghee. Add the crushed cashew nuts, raisins and sauté well.

5.      Then add grated coconuts and sugar. Sauté well. Remove the pan from the stove and add cardamom powder.

6.      Grease your hands with little ghee/oil and place the mashed banana in your palm and flatten it gently between your palms.

7.      Fill the coconut mixture in between and cover it by rolling the mashed banana over it in the form of a spindle. Repeat the process with the remaining banana mixture. Keep them aside.

8.      Heat oil in a deep frying pan and deep fry the spindles on medium heat until golden brown. Garnish them with cinnamon powder. Unnakai is ready to serve.