SHARKKARA UPPERI / JAGGERY COATED BANANA CHIPS

“sharkkara upperi” is  another snack prepared during the celebration of the Onam festival. Banana chips are made out of finely sliced rounded banana pieces and deep fried in pure coconut oil. Yet another unique preparation with bananas is the “Sarkkara Upperi” is prepared by chopping bananas into a thick piece, deep fried and then mixed into melted jaggery. It is a must for all festive occasions and weddings in Kerala. No sadya (feast) is complete without this… in Kerala.

Enjoy this onam festival with this traditional Sharkkara upperi.

INGREDIENTS

Nendran kaya / raw nendran plantain        - 1 kg

Jiiggery                                                              - 500 grams

Cardamom powder                                         - ½ tsp

Dry ginger powder                                          - 1 tbsp

Cumin powder                                                  - 1 tbsp

Ghee                                                                   - 1 tbsp

Coconut oil                                                      - for deep frying

METHOD

Peel off the skin from the plantains and dip into the turmeric mixed water.

Cut the plantains right from the middle in to two and cut into thick quarter inch pieces.

Pat dry the pieces and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the banana pieces in batches in a medium flame till it turns golden brown and crisp.

Drain it in a colander.

Repeat the process for remaining bananas.

Melt the jiggery in ½ cup of water, once it is melted strain it .

Keep it on the flame and allow to boil till it rech thick consistency.( when you drop in water it should not dissolve, it should form a pellet)

Add the cardamom powder, dry ginger powder, and cumin powder and stir well.

Put the fried banana pieces and mix well, and allow it to cool completely.

Yummy sharkkara upperi is ready