Fall Fritters ( Pumpkin puree fritters)

Hi all,

Sorry, have not written any post for the last few days. Since it is the season of taal (palm) in Bengal and I am missing the taal badly, I thought I should share a recipe of fritter that tastes like taal (palm). Once made, you won’t believe that they are not taler boras. Not only its is the season of taal but also fall is around the corner and pumpkin will be the talk of the town in no time. Everything will be pumpkin flavored from lates to candles. And the obvious dessert will be the pumpkin pie. But pumpkin pie is good but these fritters are addictive. Once you start eating you can’t stop. And in few minutes they will disappear. And the nicest part is they are easily available in can. If you can’t find the can of pumpkin puree, I will share the method to get the pumpkin puree. So, you don’t wait for the season to enjoy this. The Bengali favorite taler bora is an absolute item for the Janmashtami. I have searched for the palm puree many places, even online. But I have been not lucky in that quest.  In serendipity I made  the pumpkin puree fritter and it tasted like taler bora. Even when I served these fritters to my guest, the majority of them confirm that the taste is very close to taler bora. Those who are like me and missing that taler bora, please do comment. I will feel that I am not alone in this universe. Trust me, if you prepare these you won’t be disappointed. And those who are unknown to taler bora, lets enjoy this fall with these fall fritters and a mug of coffee. The chill in the air and the warmth of the coffee are the right pair for these fritters and hence the name fall fritters.

Fall Fritters

Fall Fritters for Janamastami

Let's start making them. Shall we?

Recipe yields 40 servings

Ingredients

1. 1 can of pumpkin puree ** (29 oz)
2. 1/2 cup of Shredded coconut
3. 1 cup of All purpose flour
4. 1/2 cup of Rice flour
5. 2 tsp fennel seed
6. 3-4 pods of cardamom crushed
7. 3 tbsp semolina
8. 1/4 tsp Salt
9. 1/3 cup of Sugar
10. 1/3 cup of hot water
11. Oil for frying

Ingredients

Method

1. In a small bowl add the semolina and the hot water. Mix it nicely and cover the bowl with a plate.

2. After 10 min remove the cover and fluff the semolina with a fork. Keep it aside. The semolina should be plumped up by now.

3. In a large mixing bowl, dump all the ingredients except oil.  Add the semolina and mix it nicely with all other ingredients. Your pumpkin mixture is ready.

4. In a large skillet add enough oil. Heat the oil.

5. When the oil is hot add the dollops of the mixture using two spoons. Take a spoonful of the mixture and with the help of other spoon throw it in the hot oil. Add a few at a time.

6. Fry it for 4 minutes and flip them and fry for another 4 minutes. The whole process should be cooked on medium-high heat so that the fritters get cooked thoroughly. Keep an eye so that they won’t get burnt. Once they are golden brown in all sides, keep those out of the oil into a plate with some paper towels. The excess oil will get absorbed in the paper towels.

Fry all the fritters till there is no more mixture left. Fry few at a time as then they will cook better and crisp up nicely.

Mixing the ingredients

Frying the fritters

Ready to take out of the oil

Fall Fritter looks and tastes like the iconic bengali 'taler bora'

Fall fritter is ready

** If you don’t get the can of pumpkin puree, then make your own.

With A Oven:  Cut a pumpkin of weight 2 pounds approximately in half. Remove the seeds and fiber from the inner portion. Prink some holes on the skin side with a fork. Place the cut side down on a baking tray. Bake it at 350F for 1 hour and until the pumpkin is tender. Let it cool outside of the oven. Once cooled, peel the skin and cut the halves into chunks. Then blend the chunks in a blender to make the pumpkin puree.

With a stove:  Cut the pumpkin ( 2-3 lb weight approximately) into halves. Peel the skin. Cut it into small cubes. Place a pan on the stove and add 1/2 cup water. Heat it. Add the pumpkin cubes and cook it in medium heat with a lid on. Check in between to see if the pieces become tender. Once they are soft. Let it cool. And blend it in the blender. Pumpkin puree is ready.

Try this one and let me know in the comment section. This fall lets make something different other than the usual pumpkin pie. Enjoy this with a cup of warm cafe au latte. This will be the bliss to the fall mornings or evenings. It tastes even better a day older. So you can prepare ahead and enjoy two days or till you finish them. It is an easy sweet that can bring an aura to your celebrations and festivities. Hope you make and enjoy this with your friends and families.

Thanks,

Moumita