Kerala Pazham Pori / Ethakka Appam / Banana Fritters

Pazham Pori (also called Pazham Appam or Ethakka Appam) is a very popular and unique delicacy of the Kerala region due to this variety of the Banana is abundantly available in Kerala region only.  It is an easy to make delicacy with just a few ingredients. All that is required is this variety of Banana since this delicacy made with other Bananas would not give the same taste and flavor.  In place of Maida, we can use wheat flour also. The taste may change a little, but it would still be a great delicacy.  You can adjust the quantity of Sugar to adjust your taste.

Ingredients –

All Purpose Flour (Maida) – 1 1/4 cup

Rice Flour – 2 tbsp

Turmeric Powder – 1 pinch

Powdered Sugar – 3 tbsp (Adjust to suit)

Baking Powder – ¼ tsp

Water – as required

Nendram Banana – 2 (Ripe ones, but not over ripe)

Oil – for deep frying

Method:

Let us start preparing the batter for this Pazham Pori.

Take Maida, Rice Flour, Turmeric Powder, Sugar Powder and Baking Powder. Mix and combine them well.

Add water little by little mixing everything continuously. Make a batter which should not be too thick or too loose. And ensure that there is no lump formed while making the batter.

Now, let us prepare the plantain. Peel the skin of the Nendram Pazham (Nendram Banana). Cut the peeled Banana into two or three pieces. Now, slice each piece vertically in 0.5 CM thick pieces.

Heat the Oil in the pan for deep frying.

Dip the Banana slice into the batter and coat it evenly with the batter.  Slide the coated slice into the hot Oil. Slide more coated slices (3 or 4) ensuring the Oil is not getting overcrowded. They will tend to stick to each other. Gently separate them with a slotted spoon or a thin rod etc.

Leave then to get fried for a couple of minutes. Now, flip them so that all sides get fried evenly. While dropping the slices, the Oil should be hot. But, fry them in medium flame.  Fry them golden and crispy.

Transfer with slotted spoon allowing excess Oil to drip back to the pan.

Pazham Pori (Pazham Appam or Ethakka Appam) – the delicacy of Kerala is ready.