Unnakaya recipe, Unnakai (also called Unnakaya, Kai Ada, Unnakka, and Kai Porichathu) is a spindle-shaped sweet dessert made of steamed and mashed plantain 🍌 and stuffed🥥. It originates from the Malabar region of Kerala, India, and is often eaten at festivities like weddings, iftars, etc. The bananas used to prepare Unnakaya are Nendram Pazham/நேந்திரம் பழம். These variety of bananas are long, large and are firm even when ripe. They are used not only to make the famous Kerala banana chips but also banana fritters like Pazham Pori recipe, I have with step by step pics.
Unnakaya recipe-A vegan banana fritters recipe. Being Dubai Vasi Pazham Pori, Unnakai is our regular tea time snack. we usually order through Zomato. I finally was able to do so and satisfy the long-standing desire, when a close friend requested me to make some. we enjoyed Unnakaya with Filter coffee:)
More Mouthwatering Kerala Recipes you may like try, Soft Kuzha Puttu recipe, Nadan Kadala curry, Inji Puli, Onam Sadha recipe, Ada Pradaman, Paal Payasam(Kerala Style), Malabar Ghee rice recipe.
Some tips, suggestions to make perfect Unnakaya,
How to make Perfect Unnakaya,
- To make Unnakaya, we can add an egg🥚 while making the banana dough. But in my recipe, I didn’t add any egg but still, the Unnakaya are Crispy because I deep fried it in low flame to make it perfect.
- Important tip after mashing the banana will become a little loose and goosy texture, in that case, we should keep the mashed Unnakaya dough in the fridge for 10 to 15 mins to make it firm dough or if you short of time you can add a tsp of rice flour.
- In this recipe, I didn’t add sweet to the filling because already bananas are too sweet and also I am trying to avoid adding sugar to my dishes.
- I always want the 🥥coconut filling to be golden brown(roast in low flame). make sure that it should not burn.
- Once you drop the Unnakaya in Hot oil it will stick in the bottom of the pan so keep roll the Unnakaya using the ladle (softly) and also it will fry evenly on all the sides.
A short Youtube Video of Unnakaya Recipe below,
Recipe card Malabar style Unnakaya(stuffed plantain fritters)
- 2 nos ripe plantain/பழுத்த நேந்திரம் பழம்
- ½ cup Coconut grated/தேங்காய்
- handful cashew/முந்திரி
- handful raisins/திராட்சை
- 2 pinch cardamom powder/ஏலக்காய் தூள்
- 1 tsp ghee/நெய்
- 1 tsp coconut oil/தேங்காய் எண்ணெய்
- oil for frying the Unnakai/எண்ணெய்
- Steaming the banana/Nendram Pazham to make the Unnakaya Dough: Take ripe bananas and cut them into half. Place it in a steamer and steam for 10 to 15 mins. let the banana to cool down sometime and then peel the skin. if you find any fiber or black seed in the middle remove it. Mash the banana well with your hands or you can use a masher if bananas are hot but don't mash it mixie. It should be smooth and lump-free Dough. The banana Dough Ready. Let's Make the coconut filling for Unnakaya.
- Making the coconut filling by heat ghee & coconut oil in a pan, add in cashew nuts, and raisins and fry for a min. make sure that they should not burn. Now add coconut, cardamom powder, and roast well(i prefer the coconut should be little golden). Once it turns golden brown turn off the stove. Some people add sugar at this stage I didn't use because the banana is already sweet so I skipped. The coconut filling is ready.
- Shaping and making the Unnakaya, Grease the palm, take little banana dough and make small lemon size ball. Flatten the ball by using the other hand and fill it with a teaspoon coconut filling. seal the edges and roll it in spindle shape. heat oil and deep fry until it becomes golden brown. Drain onto a tissue. serve Unnakaya as a dessert with tea or coffee or even you can have it for breakfast.
Unnakaya recipe, How to make Malabar style unnakai in 3 easy steps
Step:1 Steaming the banana/Nendram Pazham to make the Unnakaya Dough: Take ripe bananas and cut them into half. Place it in a steamer and steam for 10 to 15 mins. let the banana to cool down sometime and then peel the skin. if you find any fiber or black seed in the middle remove it. Mash the banana well with your hands or you can use a masher if bananas are hot but don’t mash it mixie. It should be smooth and lump-free Dough. The banana Dough Ready. Let’s Make the coconut filling for Unnakaya.
Step:2 Making the coconut filling by heat ghee & coconut oil in a pan, add in cashew nuts, and raisins and fry for a min. make sure that they should not burn. Now add coconut, cardamom powder, and roast well(i prefer the coconut should be little golden). Once it turns golden brown turn off the stove. Some people add sugar at this stage I didn’t use because the banana is already sweet so I skipped. The coconut filling is ready.
Step:3 Shaping and making the Unnakaya, Grease the palm, take little banana dough and make small lemon size ball. Flatten the ball by using the other hand and fill it with a teaspoon coconut filling. seal the edges and roll it in spindle shape. heat oil and deep fry until it becomes golden brown. Drain onto a tissue. serve Unnakaya as a dessert with tea or coffee or even you can have it for breakfast.
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Have a nice day!
Excellent recipe