🇲🇻 Maldivian Cuisine

Kavaabu

Spiced Lentil Fritters

Prep Time 45 min
Servings 6
Difficulty Medium
Calories 242 kcal

Dense, flavorful deep-fried fritters made from ground lentils mixed with tuna, onion, ginger, and aromatic spices, crunchy outside and soft within.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chana dal, soaked 4 hours
  • 150g smoked tuna, shredded
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 green chilies, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 8 curry leaves, chopped
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil for deep frying

Instructions

  1. 1 Drain soaked chana dal and grind to a coarse paste in a food processor. Do not make it too smooth.
  2. 2 Mix ground dal with shredded tuna, onion, chilies, ginger, curry leaves, fennel, cumin, and turmeric.
  3. 3 Season with salt and mix well. The mixture should hold together when pressed. Add a tablespoon of rice flour if too wet.
  4. 4 Shape into small oval or round patties about two inches across and one inch thick.
  5. 5 Deep fry in batches at 160C for five to six minutes until dark golden brown and cooked through.
  6. 6 Drain well and serve hot with a tangy dipping sauce or sweet chili. These are best eaten within an hour of frying.

Did You Know?

Kavaabu is considered the king of Maldivian hedhikaa, and a proper tea time spread must include it alongside Bajiyaa and Bis Keemiya.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/maldivian/kavaabu/