Sarkara Varatti or Banana chips coated with jaggery is a traditional sweet dish popular among the Keralites. It is also known by the name ‘Sarkara Upperi’. It is extensively prepared during Onam festival. Chopped banana pieces and jaggery are the essential ingredients in making this snack. The use of jaggery gives this dish sweet taste and a dark brown color. The use of dried ginger and cardamom provides a traditional taste and a light spicy flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 raw banana/plantain
- 3/4 tsp jaggery syrup
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/2 tsp dry ginger powder
- 2 tsp rice flour
- oil to deep fry
Method
- Peel off the plantain skin and cut each of them into half (lengthwise). Cut each into 1/2 cm thick pieces again and keep it aside.
- In a frying pan heat the oil at medium-high flame. When oil becomes hot, add raw banana pieces and fry it on a medium flame stirring occasionally until the banana pieces become golden yellow/crisp. Once crisp, take the chips out of the oil, drain on paper towel and let it cool. Set aside.
- Melt jaggery by adding 2 tbsp water, strain the jaggery syrup before using to remove impurities.
- Next add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the jaggery syrup and bring it to a boil stirring continuously.
- When the syrup reaches the right consistency, lower the flame and add fried banana pieces. Mix well and stir continuously in order to prevent the chips from sticking to each other.
- Switch off the flame and add ginger powder. Finally, just sprinkle the rice flour. Mix well. The delicious sarkara varatti is ready to Serve or store it in an airtight container.
Note :
It is very important for the jaggery syrup to be of the right consistency else the chips will be sticky. The jaggery should be 1 string consistency i.e if you pour it down from a high held spoon, it should not pour down like water rather it should drop down like honey in a thin viscous form.
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