Unnakai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Unnakai

Course	Dessert
Place of origin	India
Region or state	Malabar
Main ingredients	Plantain, coconut, ghee, egg white, cardamom powder, sugar

Unnakai (pronounced Oo-na-kai) is a yummy, sweet snack from the Malabar region in India. It's also known by names like Unnakaya or Kai Porichathu. This special treat looks a bit like a spindle, which is a tool used for spinning thread. It's mostly made from a type of banana called a plantain. People often enjoy Unnakai during big celebrations, like weddings or the evening meal called Iftar during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

What is Unnakai?

Unnakai is a popular dessert or snack, especially in the state of Kerala, India. It's known for its unique shape and sweet taste. The main part of Unnakai is a dough made from plantains, which are a common food in Kerala. Plantains are like bananas but are usually cooked before eating.

How is Unnakai Made?

Making Unnakai involves a few steps, turning simple ingredients into a delicious treat.

Preparing the Plantain

First, the plantains are steamed until they are soft. After steaming, they are mashed into a smooth puree. This mashed plantain becomes the "dough" for the Unnakai. It's quite dry, which helps it hold its shape.

Creating the Filling

Next, a sweet filling is prepared. This filling usually includes:

• Sweetened beaten egg
• Shredded coconut
• Nuts, like cashews or almonds
• Raisins
• A spice called cardamom, which gives it a lovely, fragrant taste.

Shaping and Frying

The plantain dough is rolled out and flattened into small patties. Then, a spoonful of the sweet filling is placed in the center of each patty. The dough is carefully folded around the filling and shaped into its famous spindle form. To make sure the dough doesn't stick, the hands are often oiled. Finally, these stuffed plantain shapes are deep-fried until they are golden brown and crispy. They are usually fried in coconut oil, which adds to their unique flavor.

Different Kinds of Unnakai

While the basic recipe is popular, there are some variations. Sometimes, people change the ingredients in the filling. For example, in certain areas, coconut might not be used at all. Instead, the filling might just be a mix of egg, sugar, and nuts. This shows how flexible and creative cooking can be!

Unnakai can be eaten as a snack on its own, or it can be served as a dessert. When served as a dessert, it's sometimes topped with a white sauce, often made from sago. This adds another layer of sweetness and texture to the dish.

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