Meet unnimadhuram
Unnimadhuram is a teatime snack or a nalumani palaharam (4 o clock snack) from Kerala cuisine. “Unni” as in child or small and “madhuram” as in sweet, unnimadhuram is a small fried ball of something sweet. Usually served with chai, this snack can be a great on the go breakfast or after school snack paired with smoothies.
Bring forth the childhood memories
At the junction between our lane and the main road, there used to be a ‘chayakada’ (a kerala teastall). Lined right in front of the tiny kiosk, in glass jars are a few snacks like parippu vada, butter biscuits, teacake, neiyappam etc. Vasu, the owner of the tea stall was behind the tea scene, whereas his wife made all sorts of these snacks from home. Though my interaction with this teastall was just a glance as I went to and fro each day I hardly ever had anything to eat from there. One day my dad got me there for tea and bought me a round little snack. This was unnimadhuram. Just once, but a lovely memory it was.
Recreating the unnimadhuram
Unnimadhuram is kind of like a banana doughnut ball. Fried to golden perfection with a mild sweetness this doughnut ball is not bigger than a lime. The sweetness actually comes from the overripe bananas and fresh coconut. Though it looks hard the centre of the doughnut is steam cooked and soft.
Here is the recipe for you to try.
Unnimadhuram
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 medium Banana yellow long variety
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp grated coconut
- 2 tsp unrefined sugar use jaggery if preffered.
For deep frying
- 2 cup cooking oil
Instructions
- Into a mixing bowl add the banana and mash it well.
- Add the bread crumbs, sugar and grated coconut and knead into a soft dough
- Once the dough is ready, pinch off small bits to make tiny balls either marble-sized or a bit bigger. Not bigger than a lime.
- Set oil for heating on a medium heat.
- Deep fry a few of these balls at a time, till golden and crispy.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Variations
Jam centres unnimadhuram- you could make a slightly larger unnimadhuram and fill it with mixed berry jam or chocolate. For this pipe in some jam or melted chocolate when the banana doughnut ball comes out of the fryer.
Have more overripe bananas?
At home, we tend to have a banana or two leftover each week. Slightly overripe these bananas have plenty of sweetness left in them. these make fantastic snacks for the week ahead in meal prep. Here are a few more from this blog that may help you with your planning.
Banana oat cookies – This is one of the best on the go cookies and literally guilt free. Dont believe me! try it.
Banana sheera – This delicious make-ahead dessert is lovely to keep for those dessert craving days mid week.
Whole wheat banana bread – If you have a few extra overripe bananas make a delicious loaf to keep for the week. My kids love this at snack or grab some as they run out of the door.
Kele ki chaat – Not a fan of sweet flavours? Try this banana chaat recipe with those excess bananas for an easy evening snack.
Crumble topped banana oat muffin – Another great oat banana combo. This recipe has no added wheat so is perfect for gluten-free ideas.
Chocolate and finger millet cake with banana – Celebrate the weekend with a healthy easy fingermillet and banana cake.
Connect with us.
Once you make it unnimadhuram is an easy, vegan recipe that kids love. It is perfect as an afterschool snack and tastes good even when it has cooled down. Pair it with a smoothie or a strawberry lassi for an on the go breakfast idea. Let us know when you make it and share your experience with this easy snack. If you haven’t visited our Instagram, FB page or youtube channel, here are the links for a quick peek. Don’t miss to subscribe, like or share these wonderful ideas. Tag us when you make them so we know you enjoyed them.
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Looking forward to more Kerala recipe. I like that cuisine.
My son looks best banana and these sweet balls seems to be perfect for the weather right now. Thanks for. The wonderful share Seema .