Kach Kolar Kofta(Raw Banana Balls Curry)

Ingredients:

For Kofta:

600 gms Kacha Kola(Raw Banana)

100 gms Potatoes

50 gms chopped Onion

1 tsp Ginger(cut into juliennes)

2-3 chopped Green Chillies

½ tsp Turmeric powder

Salt to taste

For Batter:

1 Egg

2 tbsp Maida/Flour

A pinch of Baking powder

¼ tsp Chilli powder(optional)

Oil as indicated

For Gravy:

100 -125gms Onion(chopped)

1 tbsp Ginger(grated)

½ tbsp Garlic(grated)

100 gms Tomato(chopped)

1-2 Bay leaves

¼ tsp Garam masala powder

2 Green Cardamom(coarsely crushed)

1 inch Cinnamon(coarsely crushed)

4 Cloves(coarsely crushed)

½ tsp Sugar

Salt to taste

1 tsp Ghee

Make a paste of the following in 4 tbsp water:

¼ tsp Turmeric

½ tsp Chilli powder

1 tsp Dhaniya/Coriander powder

Procedure:

Kofta:

Peel kacha kola(raw banana) and immediately immerse in a container containing water with a pinch of turmeric (to avoid blackening). Boil kancha kola and potato till done. Drain water completely and mash together to smoothness. In a kadhai heat 2 tbsp oil. Add onions and ginger and fry for 2-3 minutes till onions are soft. Add mashed kacha kola and potato, chopped green chillies and salt to taste. Fry on medium low heat for 5 minutes. Stir to avoid the mix sticking to the bottom. Remove and let cool. Mould the mix into balls.

Batter:

Make a smooth mix of all the ingredients listed under "for batter" with 4 tbsp water.

Heat 1 cup oil (for deep frying).( This oil may be reused for cooking so do not discard.) Dip the balls in the mix and fry till golden brown.

Gravy:

Heat 4 tbsp oil. Add coarsely crushed cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaf. Let splutter. Add onions, ginger and garlic and fry on medium heat for 3 minutes. Add turmeric, chilli powder, and coriander powder paste and fry for 2-3 minutes till oil separates. Add tomato and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add 2 cups water, salt, sugar and let come to boil. Boil for 4-5 minutes. Add koftas/balls and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes. Add ghee and garam masala powder and remove from heat.

The koftas absorb a lot of gravy so 2 cups of water are required to factor this in. Serve with rice.