The monsoon has arrived! Every tree, every shrub and every blade of grass is looking fresh, clean and green. In this weather, we crave for a hot cup of tea or coffee and a hot snack. One popular tea time snack in Coorg, especially so during the monsoons, is the Baale Nurk or Banana fritters.
Baale Nurk is a heavenly concoction of rice flour, ripe bananas and jaggery. To that is added grated coconut, roasted sesame seeds and powdered cardamom. When fried in oil, you get a treat that is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Given its taste, you just can’t stop at one!
It is very easy to make and is a preparation loved by the young and the old. Traditionally, Baale Nurk is made from Mara Baale from Coorg. While these bananas have a distinct flavor, which adds to the taste of Baale Nurk, you can use any banana of your choice.
Here’s how to make Baale Nurk.
Ingredients
5 small very ripe bananas
2 tsps sesame seeds, roasted
½ cup grated coconut
3 tbsps rice powder
1 tsp maida
½ tsp cardamom powder
A pinch of salt
2 tsps sugar or jaggery (optional, to be used if the bananas are not sweet enough)
Oil for frying
Method
- Mash the bananas.
- Add the sesame, coconut, cardamom and mix well.
- Gradually add in the rice flour and mix while ensuring that no lumps are formed. Add the maida, a little at a time and mix well.
- Make small balls and deep fry in hot oil till they turn golden brown as shown in the above image. Remember to fry on a slow flame as the banana mixture tends to burn and turn black very fast.
- Remove and serve hot or cold with tea or coffee.
thejoyofhealthycooking 