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Sharkara varatti

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

Thick pieces of fried raw banana coated in jaggery syrup with dry ginger and cardamom, a sweet snack of the Onam sadya.

Region: KeralaOccasion: Onam sadyaTime: 50 minServes: About 400 gVegan

Ingredients

  • 3 raw nendran bananas
  • Coconut oil for frying
  • 1 cup grated jaggery
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ tsp dry ginger powder, ½ tsp cardamom powder, ¼ tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tsp sugar

Method

  1. Peel the bananas, cut them in half lengthways and slice into thick half-moons.
  2. Deep-fry in coconut oil until crisp but pale. Drain and cool.
  3. Melt the jaggery in the water, strain, and boil until a thick syrup forms a soft thread.
  4. Turn off the heat, add the spice powders and the fried pieces, and toss quickly to coat.
  5. Sprinkle the sugar and keep tossing as the coating dries. Cool and store airtight.

History

Sharkara varatti (‘jaggery-roasted’) is made by the same chip makers who fry banana chips, and the two are sold side by side in Kerala.

Significance

It is one of the first things served on the Onam sadya leaf and is also sent as a gift during Onam.

Sources