Navarathri Special ~ Sabudana/Javvarisi Vada (Sago Fritters)

Sabudana vada is one of the recipes prepared during the vrats. A special snack made on the occasion of Navratri, the vadaas are very crispy and crunchy and melt in your mouth. In fact, the mouth watering snack item is considered as an ideal food to eat during Navratri fasts.Its the first time I am taking part in a Tried and Tasted event.At last I ahead and made this lovely vada from CHEF IN YOU for T&T, hosted by Priya, brainchild of Zlamushka currently taken over by Lakshmi of Kitchen Chronicles.Wow wow..What a tempting recipe, its very easy and a quick dish with a lots flavour.

Ingredients

1/2 cup ~ Sago/Sabudana/Javvarisi (I did not use Tapioca – there is a slight difference)

1/2 cup ~ Rice flour

2-3 tbsp ~ grated fresh coconut (frozen works too)

2-3 ~ green chillies, sliced thinly (as per taste)

1/2 tsp ~ salt (or as per taste)

1/4-1/2 cup ~ plain yogurt/soured buttermilk (you need just enough to be able to knead the mixture into a tight dough)

I add extra (1small chopped onion and 1/2tsp crushed black pepper)

Method
1.Add all the ingredients together in a bowl.

2.Add enough yogurt to be able to knead it well into a dough. I used Fat free Greek Yogurt and since its thick, I had to use more. But if you are using buttermilk (or plain yogurt mixed with water), you might need less.

3.Let this mixture soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour (or more) until the Sago is soft. You will mostly find that at this time you mixture seems v dry and crumbly thanks to all that yogurt being absorbed by sago. Add few tbsp of water (if needed) to make into a tight consistency which is not dry nor loose.

4.Break some dough to make a ball about a size of a lime.
5.Roll it in your palm (greased with water/oil) and pat it into a disc. You can alternatively use a greased plate or plastic sheet to do the same.

6.Repeat for the rest of the dough.Meanwhile heat up some oil for deep frying.Drop the disc into the oil.Fry until golden yellow or reddish brown.

7.Drop them on paper towels.Serve these hot as it is or with any condiment of your choice.Serve with ketchup or with coconut/mint chutney. We also like them just as they are. The outsides are crispy while the insides are slightly yet deliciously on the chewy side