Raw Banana Starters

A delicious and filling appetiser …

Makes a dozen

Ingredients

Raw banana – 2 nos

Big onion – 1 medium sized, finely chopped

Green chilli – 1 medium sized

Fennel seeds (perumjeerakam) – Three-fourth tsp

Coriander leaves, chopped – 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Refined oil – For deep frying

Method

De-skin and wash the raw bananas. Cut into small chunks. Boil the banana pieces in water till cooked, and till it’s firm. Once cooked, drain the water and cool the banana chunks.

Grind green chillies, fennel seeds (or half tsp garam masala powder) and coriander leaves without any water.

Process the raw banana pieces to a smooth paste, without adding water.

Combine banana paste and the green chilli-fennel seeds-coriander paste.

Add the finely chopped onion and enough salt. Knead into a smooth dough. Apply cooking oil to your hands and roll the banana dough into two-inch long fingers.

Deep fry the banana fingers in hot oil till golden brown.

Serve hot with ‘hot and sweet’ tomato-chilli sauce or green chutney.

Note: Mint leaves, if preferred, can be added with the coriander leaves.