Y for Yam (Suran) Vadis

Suran (yam) vadis are one more addition to the repertoire of fasting foods.  Free from grains and everything else that’s to be avoided on days of abstinence. But the one thing they definitely do not lack is flavour. As you bite into them the crisp coating on the outside gives way to a lovely mixture of suran, coconut and peanuts flavoured with cumin and green chillies. You can, of course, up the ante on the chillies but I’ve made these with our 4 year old in mind.

I’ve previously written about fasting foods in Fasting and Feasting in True Maharashtrian style so without further labouring the point, let’s get straight to the recipe.

This is a simple dish with some basic ingredients. This version makes about 6-8 patties (or pattice as they are called in India).

Yam (suran) vadis

Ingredients:

300 grams yam, chopped and steamed

2/3 cup grated coconut

1/2 cup roasted peanuts

1 tablespoon cumin seeds, roasted

1-2 green chillies, finely chopped

salt to taste

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Method:

1. Grind the peanuts and the cumin seeds to a fine powder. Keep aside.
2. Mash the yam. Add in the coconut, chillies, salt, ground peanuts and cumin powder. Mix well.
3. Divide the mixture into an equal number of balls and flatten them into patties.
4. Heat some oil in a wide pan and cook the patties until they are golden brown on both sides.
5. Serve hot with some cooling buttermilk.

This also works well with most tubers and root vegetables like sweet potatoes (rataali).