Unnakkaya/ Sweet Banana Rolls

Unnakkaya, a traditional Malabar recipe  is one of the most popular evening snack. Its  main ingredients are banana and coconut . It is not difficult as it may seem and as usual , practice makes perfect. This is one of the tea time favourites of my kids.

Now, lets see how to make these sweet rolls of bananas filled with coconut.

Ingredients:-

Bright yellow,medium ripe bananas    -   2

Grated coconut                                      -  1 cup

Cashew nut                                        -  2 tbsp

Raisins                                                  - 1 tbsp

Cardamom powder                       - ¼ tsp

Ghee                                                  - 2 tbsp

Oil                                                       - to deep fry

Step 1

We can prepare the coconut filling first. So by the time it cools, banana rolls can be prepared.
In a thick pan, heat 2 tbsp ghee and fry the cashew nuts and raisins. Once it turns golden colour, add the grated coconut. Add sugar , cardamom powder and sauté well.  Now remove from fire and let it cool.

Step 2

Steam the bananas along with the skin in a steam cooker. Peel off the skin and grind it to smooth dough without adding water. Consistency is like chappathi dough.

Step 3

Make lemon size balls out of banana dough , flatten it in your palms to small disc shapes.Fill 1 tsp of coconut filling, close the edges, press lightly and roll it in your hands into the shape of Unnakkaya.Do the same with every banana balls.

Step 4

Heat oil in a frying pan and deep fry the unnakkayas  to a golden brown colour.Drain and serve as warm.

Tips

·         Choosing the right kind of banana is very important. Ripe bananas with bright yellow skin should be selected as it  may be difficult to roll if otherwise. Two medium bananas are enough for making  5  big unnakkayas.

·         There are a lot of ways to grind the banana. But as this is the important part in this recipe, you should be careful. The easiest way for me is to put the bananas into an idiyappam press and grind into a smooth dough without adding water.

·         Be careful while frying. Slide the rolls into the oil gently.

·         Keep turning the sides of the roll while frying until all the sides are golden colour. Dont use any sharp edged spoons to fry as it may slice the rolls.

·         You can also add egg in the filling mixture . For that , beat 1 egg with 1 tsp sugar and  add after sauting the grated coconut.

·         Use any sunflower oil to fry, for better taste.