Today is another auspicious day for Indians across the world as on one side, Kerala, Southern most part of India is celebrating its 57th birthday famously called "Kerala Piravi" ,Northern India on the other side is celebrating the festival of wealth and prosperity,"Dhanteras" .
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| A snippet of an enchanting Kerala |
After India got independence , the land of coconuts(Ker-ala) or God's own country was formed on Nov 1,1956 .However, according to the Hindu mythology , Lord Parasurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu threw his axe into the sea and that's how Kerala was created and that's why it's popularly called ,"God's own country".
Anyways, today is the birthday of my home state, Kerala.. So,I hereby wish my native place ,"Happy and prosperous birthday" !! May the beauty & significance of this state, the soothing backwaters, the tropical greenery, sublime beaches, sea-cliffs , rocky coasts, monuments and temples always be the center of attraction & spread natural happiness for people far and wide.
Though it's the birth-day of Kerala,there is no as such grand celebration like the main festival of the state,Onam or Vishu.It's not celebrated at home but they are as a small tribute ,celebrated and cherished at schools,colleges,offices etc in a mini traditional way ...
I remember during college days in Kerala,we had many cultural programs and we used to clad ourselves in ethnic wear-Set-saree ,a beautiful Kerala special saree in off-white with golden borders and there is something about that costume, it's so simple yet it can make any lady look divine :)....and long hair adorned with jasmine garland and gold jewelries ....in short every girl looked/looks like a Goddess and so are the men wearing the traditional cloth made with the same material ...ohhh I am so fond of set-sarees by the way ...:)
Talking about the golden jewelries, it's the apt time to buy gold as the price dropped well and guess what ,the right occasion too as during the festival ,"Dhanteras", it is considered to be auspicious to buy anything gold especially as it is believed to bring good luck ...well, ladies what are we waiting for ..Let's go shopping ..I bet hubbys won't mind either :P ...
On the eve of these festivals ,I made one of mine and my hubby's favorite Kerala snack,"Pazham pori" or "Plantain fritters Kerala style" or locally called "Ethakka appam" which is prepared by coating the plantain slices with flour and deep fried in coconut oil (for the authentic Kerala taste).
Banana Fritters/Pazham Pori/Ethakka Appam are actually a quintessential Kerala snack, one of the most sought after item sold in local trains and shops in every nook and corner in Kerala and can be easily made at home as well. Hardly anyone can detest or resist it.In fact , Pazham Pori is an evergreen favorite Mallu (short form of Malayalee) munchy delight !!!
Pazham Pori can be prepared in different ways .I am going to show you THREE ways of making Ethakka Appam in this video .
And my FOURTH way is a special Ethakka Appam recipe.This is how I make special Pazham Pori at home :
Pazham Pori|Ethakka Appam|Banana Fritters
Ingredients
Ripe Plantains /Nenthra pazham - 2 nos.
All purpose flour/Maida - 3/4 cup
Rice flour - 1 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon(optional)
Sugar - 1-2 tablespoon
Salt to taste
Shredded coconuts - 2 tablespoons (optional)
Cardamom powder - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
Cumin seeds, crushed - a pinch (optional)
Baking soda - a pinch
Water - 1-1 1/2 cup
Coconut oil (Preferably) /Any cooking oil , for deep frying - 1-2 cup
Preparation
- Mix the flours , turmeric powder, baking powder, sugar, salt, shredded coconuts, cardamom powder, crushed cumin seeds and water to form a semi-thick batter with a dropping consistency and keep it aside for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile peel the plantains and cut them into half and slice each half vertically into four thick long slices .
- Heat oil in a wide or deep pan for deep frying .
- Once oil is hot , reduce the flame (medium-low) and dip one by one each plantain slices into the batter and deep fry it both sides until light golden brown.
- Using a slotted ladle allow the excess oil to drip off and then transfer the fried plantains on to the tissue paper to absorb the rest oil.
- Serve hot with a cup of tea.
Notes:
- The plantains should be ripe but not overly ripe.Based on the ripeness adjust the sugar for the sweetness.
- The batter should be any lump free and if it's thin enough to coat the plantain slices properly add little AP flour and if too thick add little water until the batter is of coat-able consistency.
- Turmeric powder is for color.So adjust it accordingly.
- Serve and eat them "Hot" for the best taste.
No matter how many Banana fritters you eat in Kerala,it will never be enough .
