Aloo Vada
Aloo vada recipe, or "batata vada," is among the most popular street foods and snacks of India from the state of Maharashtra. Into a tasty gram-flour batter, one scoopful of spiced mashed potatoes (aloo) is mixed, then left to set for a while and finally deep-fried till brown, crispy perfection. Boil potatoes till soft and mashable. To give a flavour, the mashed potatoes are seasoned with turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chillies, ginger, garlic, and coriander. The filling would turn out pretty spicy and aromatic once seasoned. The heart of the aloo vada is this mixture. The batter is created using chickpea flour, salt, turmeric, and sometimes a dash of red chilli powder for colour and flavour will do for seasoning. Potato balls are deep-fried in oil until the outer layer turns crispy and the inside remains soft and spicy, after being dipped in this batter. The potato fritters known as aloo vada are generally served hot with a wide range of chutneys. Tangy tamarind or spicy green chutney is made from coriander and mint. In some regions, aloo vada is accompanied by fried green chillies for that extra bolt of heat. It's not just street fare but something that's made extremely in most Indian homes, especially on rainy days. The warm, spicy flavour, crispy texture, and irresistible sensibility make it craveable on wet days. In Mumbai, a version of the dish has been popping up everywhere, vada the aloo vada stuffed inside a soft pav, bread roll, with all the fixings as a sandwich. This humble and delicious snack epitomizes the taste of Indian diversity in its food culture, bringing warmth and comfort to millions of people.