By Shireen Jamooji
October 16, 2023
Pazham Nirachathu, a delightful South Indian snack, features ripe bananas stuffed with a sweet and spiced coconut mixture, resulting in a tasty and unique treat.
2 medium ripe bananas 3-4 tablespoons grated coconut 1 tablespoon sugar 2 pinches of cardamom powder 10 raisins 10 cashews 1 teaspoon ghee 2-3 tablespoons of maida (all-purpose flour) Coconut oil
Heat ghee in a pan and fry the cashews and raisins. Drain them on a kitchen towel.
In the same pan, heat ghee and add grated coconut. Sauté for a few minutes over medium flame.
Add sugar to the sautéed coconut and mix well. Continue to sauté until the sugar melts and the coconut turns a light creamy colour. Keep the heat low.
Add cardamom powder and the fried raisins and cashews to the coconut mixture. Mix everything well, then switch off the stove and transfer the filling to a bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine maida, a pinch of salt, and water. Mix well to create a thick batter. Set it aside.
Peel the bananas and make a shallow lengthwise slit, from one end to the other. The depth of the slit should reach the centre, near the seeds.
Use your fingers to create a gap in the slit. Take a portion of the coconut filling and gently stuff it into the banana, pushing it inside as much as possible.
Seal the slit by covering it with the maida batter. Heat coconut oil in a pan and place the stuffed bananas in it, making sure the slit side is facing down.
After a few minutes, turn the bananas to fry all sides until they turn golden brown. Serve your Pazham Nirachathu, stuffed bananas, with tea or coffee.