Lentil Fritters or Parippu Vada - South Indian Snack
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • Chana dal or dried yellow split peas- 1 cup
  • Small onions, chopped- 2
  • Green chilies, chopped small- 1
  • Curry leaves, chopped- 1 sprig
  • Ginger, grated- 1 tsp
  • Asafoetida (optional)- 2 pinches
  • Chili powder- ½ tsp (optional)
  • Fennel seeds- ½ tsp
  • Salt- 1 tsp
  • Rice flour- 1 tbsp
  • Coconut Oil- for deep frying
Instructions
  1. Soak the chana dal in water for at least 3 hours.
  2. Strain the water from the chana dal through a strainer & rinse the dal under running water.
  3. Keep aside 1 tbsp of the soaked chana dal.
  4. In a blender, grind the soaked and drained chana dal to a coarse paste.
  5. Add only very little water while grinding- a few tablespoons and don't make it into a smooth paste, it should be a coarse paste.
  6. To a large bowl, add the ground chana dal, 1 tbsp soaked chana dal, chopped small onion, grated ginger, chopped curry leaves, chopped green chilies, asafoetida, fennel seeds & salt.
  7. If you want the fritters to be spicy, add ½ tsp chili powder to the mixture.
  8. Add 1 tbsp rice flour, which will help to bind the mixture.
  9. Combine the mixture well.
  10. Make small patties out of it and flatten it between the palm of your hands.
  11. Place a frying pan over medium heat, and add enough coconut oil for deep frying.
  12. Gently drop the patties into the hot oil.
  13. Fry over medium heat till both sides turn golden brown in color.
  14. Don't fry over high heat, the inside will not cook well.
  15. Transfer to a paper towel.
  16. You could serve the fritters on plantain leaves.
  17. Enjoy while it's hot along with cardamom tea. Crunchy goodness.
Notes
•If by any chance the ground chana dal mixture doesn't hold well into patties, add 1 to 2 tbsp of rice flour.
•If you don't have asafoetida you can skip it, however adding it would give a nice aroma to the fritters.
•Adjust the spice level according to your needs by adding less green chilies & chilli powder.
•Any leftover fritters can be wrapped in a plantain leaf & refrigerated. Microwave it before serving, the plantain leaf would give a nice aroma to the fritters.
Recipe by Cooking with Thas - Smart Cooking, Smart Living at https://thasneen.com/cooking/lentil-fritters-or-parippu-vada-south-indian-fried-snack/