Unnakaya / Stuffed Ripe Plantain with Coconut

Unnakaya or Stuffed Ripe Plantain with Coconut is a famous snack in northern part of Kerala (Malabar region). It is popular in demand during the Ramadan fasting days. It is called Unnakaya as the shape of this snack resembles that of a fruit by the same name.The main ingredient for this snack is ripe-plantain (Ethaykaya). 

What you need for Unnakaya:

• Ripe Plantain - 1
• Grated Coconut- 1/2 cup
• Sooji/rava - 2 tbsp
• Sugar- 3tbsp
• Raisins- 10no
• Cashew nuts- 6no
• Ghee- 2 tbsp
• Cardamom - 2
• Salt - pinch

The preparation method:

• Steam cook plantains unpeeled till it is soft.Peel the skin and remove the small black seeds in the center.
• Heat ghee in a pan and fry cashew nuts and raisins followed by rava. Stir fry this for a minute and add coconut. Fry this till it attains light  golden brown.Add sugar and blend well with the coconut mixture. Let this cool.
• Mash the banana  in a grinder or hand blender without using water into the form of a dough. You can add a pinch of salt to this. Make lemon size balls and flatten then between your palms. Put the filling in the center and seal the edges. The best way is to take between your two hands and gently fold and press the edges and roll . Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the unnakayas in medium flame or shallow fry in a non stick pan. 
• Tasty Unnakaya is ready to be served with tea.