It has been a long time since I have blogged about the recipe from Kerala, South India. This Kozhikal (means chicken legs in Malayalam) is a vegetarian dish. No relationship with chicken in any forms. This is street food snack from North of Kerala, Thalassery. This Kozhikal/Yuca/Tapioca fries. These are batter fired Yuca/Tapioca chips
You can cut potato into thin slices however cutting Yuca/Tapioca needs some extra power as they are thick you need to cut it into small pieces and then into thin slices similar to French fries. Deliciously crunchy and pleasantly spicy, this is a great alternative to French fries. You need to serve fresh otherwise they lose their crunchiness.
I learnt this recipe from a street food vendor in a YouTube video. He is making in bulk but I adjusted it to my taste and for a 4 serving. I got a fresh Yucca root from Indian store; the earlier one which I bought from Walmart got spoilt even before using. You need to add salt, chili, turmeric, meat masala, green masala, all-purpose flour, besan/chickpea flour, curry leaves along with Yuca to make this delicious snack. It is perfect for cup or tea or coffee. Street food tastes great, as vendor is solely depend on the customer’s word of mouth to keep his business running. Since street vendors have no fancy advertising, only appreciation from their clients is the key to survival.
When it comes to versatility and texture, yuca has many similarities to white potatoes. This tuber can be boiled, fried, roasted and used for baking. I have earlier made curries with Yuca/Tapioca,fried chips , fried chips and now this Yuca fries.
If you want to try another chip, instead of your French fries and is also able to find fresh yuca root then give it a try. I won’t say it is healthy but definitely delicious. Go ahead and try frying this for next snack menu.
Kozhikal/Yuca fries
Ingredients
- 4 cup chopped Yuca/Tapioca root sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup besan/ chickpea flour
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 Thai green chili
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoon cilantro/coriander leaves
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon meat masala
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ cup water
- Peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- First wash and peel the skin of Yuca/Tapioca root then slice it into thin strips and set aside.
- In a small food processor add cilantro, green chili, garlic clove and ginger and processor into a coarse paste.
- Add this paste, salt, turmeric, red chili powder, meat masala, besan, all purpose flour , curry leaves , yuca slices and mix well form a thick batter and set aside.
- In a thick bottom pan heat oil and add a spoonful of yuca batter. And fry until it become golden brown. Make sure to cook them in medium flame.
- Serve warm with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee
Notes
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This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I am so addicted to these fries, Swathi. Love the taste and the smell od them. I strongly recommend this!
Hadia says
Your Kozhikal/Yuca fries look reallt so flavorful and elicious, Swathi!There is always something new to learn over here! Pinning and tweeting!
tigerfish says
These must be crunchy addictive!
mjskitchen says
I'm not sure if I've ever eaten yuca root. Your fries sure make me want to give it a try. Love snacks like this!
valentina says
Oh wow, these look absolutely divine! I agree with the above, great with a burger! I'm putting these on my list of things I want to try. 🙂
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
These look amazing! What a great side dish! I am thinking they would go great with a good burger!
veena says
this is totally new .. Perfect for the evening snack
kaitie says
yes! These look amazing! I love that you added favours to them before even cooking. what a great idea.
Brandon says
Looks like these would be delicious with an ice cold beer! Love all the spices here.
Amanda says
This is intriguing. I've had Latin American style yuca often in Miami, both fried and also steamed with garlic sauce. I haven't had tapioca fries. I will have to try this. It sounds delish!