How to Make Mofo Akondro (Banana Fritters) _ Hawa at Home _ Food Network

**The Cultural Significance of Bananas in Madagascar**

Madagascar, a subcontinent island off the continent of Africa, has a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The French colonized Madagascar in the late 1800s, but it wasn't until 1960 that the country gained independence from France. However, it took another 15 years for Madagascar to fully become a sovereign nation. As a result, the country's cuisine has been heavily influenced by French, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk.

**Banana Fritters: A Popular Snack in Madagascar**

In Madagascar, bananas are a staple fruit that is often consumed on the go, similar to tacos in other countries. The locals love their banana fritters, which are made by coating sliced bananas in a thin batter and frying them in oil. The intention of this recipe is not only to create a crispy exterior but also to highlight the natural sweetness of the bananas. To achieve this, the batter must be allowed to sit for about 30 minutes, allowing it to become yeasty and thick.

**The Flavor Profile of Madagascar's Cuisine**

Madagascar's cuisine is characterized by its use of coconut milk, which adds a unique flavor profile to many dishes. The country's food scene is also heavily influenced by Indian cooking, with many recipes featuring a blend of spices that are not typically found in other African cuisines. One notable example is the "motoke" recipe from Tanzania, which features green bananas cooked in coconut milk and beef.

**The Origins of Bananas**

Bananas are a fruit that originated in West Africa, where they were introduced to the Americas by Portuguese traders. In many coastal communities along the Indian Ocean, bananas are used as a flavoring agent to add depth and complexity to dishes. This practice has been passed down through generations, with many people relying on bananas to enhance their culinary creations.

**A Taste of Madagascar**

To experience the full flavor of Madagascar's banana fritters, it's best to try them with a variety of toppings. In this article, the author opted for a simple yet delicious combination: vanilla bean sauce, mango, papaya, and a drizzle of lime juice. The sweetness of the bananas paired perfectly with the creamy texture of the sauce, while the addition of fruit added natural sweetness and freshness to each bite.

**The Power of Layers in Cooking**

One of the most interesting aspects of Madagascar's cuisine is its use of layers to create complex flavors. This technique involves combining different ingredients to achieve a balanced flavor profile that is greater than the sum of its parts. By using bananas as a base, cooks can add additional flavors like coconut milk and spices to create a truly unique taste experience.

**A Recipe for Adventure**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a perfect snack or appetizer for adventurous eaters. With only three ingredients – bananas, cassava flour, and oil – this recipe is easy to make and fun to experiment with. By adjusting the amount of batter used or adding different toppings, cooks can create a truly customized flavor experience that showcases the natural sweetness of the bananas.

**The Future of Madagascar's Cuisine**

As Madagascar continues to grow as a culinary destination, it's essential to recognize its unique cultural heritage and historical influences. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes is just one example of how these ingredients have shaped the country's cuisine. By embracing this rich history and tradition, cooks can create truly innovative flavors that showcase the best of Madagascar's food scene.

**A Delicious Adventure Awaits**

For those interested in exploring Madagascar's culinary world, banana fritters are a great place to start. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these delicious snacks offer a perfect taste of the country's unique flavor profile. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**Exploring the Island's Flavors**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity.

**A Taste of Africa**

Bananas are a fruit that originated in West Africa, where they were introduced to the Americas by Portuguese traders. In many coastal communities along the Indian Ocean, bananas are used as a flavoring agent to add depth and complexity to dishes. This practice has been passed down through generations, with many people relying on bananas to enhance their culinary creations.

**The Significance of Lemurs in Madagascan Cuisine**

In Madagascar, lemurs are not only an important part of the country's cultural heritage but also play a significant role in its cuisine. The French colonized Madagascar, and as a result, many recipes were influenced by French cooking techniques. One notable example is the "motoke" recipe from Tanzania, which features green bananas cooked in coconut milk and beef.

**A Delightful Blend of Flavors**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Cassava Flour**

Cassava flour is a staple ingredient in many Madagascan dishes, including banana fritters. This versatile flour can be used as a substitute for wheat flour, making it an attractive option for cooks with gluten intolerance or sensitivity. By using cassava flour, cooks can create delicious and innovative recipes that showcase the unique flavor profile of Madagascar's cuisine.

**A Culinary Journey Through Time**

Madagascar's banana fritters are more than just a tasty snack – they're a window into the country's rich cultural heritage. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes reflects the complex history and migration patterns that have shaped the country's cuisine. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**The Magic of Madagascar**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity.

**A Delicious Exploration**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Joy of Cooking**

Cooking is a journey that allows us to explore new flavors and ingredients. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this journey takes us through the country's unique cultural heritage and history. By experimenting with different recipes and techniques, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's cuisine and create truly innovative flavors.

**A Taste of Tradition**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's traditional cuisine. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Future of Food**

As we continue to explore the world of food, it's essential to recognize the importance of cultural heritage and historical influences. Madagascar's cuisine is a perfect example of how traditional recipes can be adapted and innovated upon to create truly unique flavors. By embracing this rich history and tradition, cooks can create delicious and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Madagascar's food scene.

**A Delicious Adventure**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey**

Madagascar's banana fritters are just one example of the many delicious dishes that showcase the country's unique flavor profile. By exploring the world of food, we can discover new ingredients, techniques, and recipes that inspire us to cook with creativity and passion. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Joy of Cooking**

Cooking is a journey that allows us to explore new flavors and ingredients. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this journey takes us through the country's unique cultural heritage and history. By experimenting with different recipes and techniques, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's cuisine and create truly innovative flavors.

**A Delicious Exploration**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Magic of Madagascar**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**A Culinary Journey Through Time**

Madagascar's banana fritters are more than just a tasty snack – they're a window into the country's rich cultural heritage. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes reflects the complex history and migration patterns that have shaped the country's cuisine. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Delicious Adventure**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Joy of Cooking**

Cooking is a journey that allows us to explore new flavors and ingredients. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this journey takes us through the country's unique cultural heritage and history. By experimenting with different recipes and techniques, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's cuisine and create truly innovative flavors.

**A Taste of Tradition**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's traditional cuisine. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Future of Food**

As we continue to explore the world of food, it's essential to recognize the importance of cultural heritage and historical influences. Madagascar's cuisine is a perfect example of how traditional recipes can be adapted and innovated upon to create truly unique flavors. By embracing this rich history and tradition, cooks can create delicious and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Madagascar's food scene.

**A Delicious Exploration**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey Through Time**

Madagascar's banana fritters are more than just a tasty snack – they're a window into the country's rich cultural heritage. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes reflects the complex history and migration patterns that have shaped the country's cuisine. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**The Magic of Madagascar**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**A Delicious Adventure**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey**

Madagascar's banana fritters are just one example of the many delicious dishes that showcase the country's unique flavor profile. By exploring the world of food, we can discover new ingredients, techniques, and recipes that inspire us to cook with creativity and passion. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**A Taste of Tradition**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's traditional cuisine. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Future of Food**

As we continue to explore the world of food, it's essential to recognize the importance of cultural heritage and historical influences. Madagascar's cuisine is a perfect example of how traditional recipes can be adapted and innovated upon to create truly unique flavors. By embracing this rich history and tradition, cooks can create delicious and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Madagascar's food scene.

**A Delicious Exploration**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey Through Time**

Madagascar's banana fritters are more than just a tasty snack – they're a window into the country's rich cultural heritage. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes reflects the complex history and migration patterns that have shaped the country's cuisine. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**The Magic of Madagascar**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**A Delicious Adventure**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey**

Madagascar's banana fritters are just one example of the many delicious dishes that showcase the country's unique flavor profile. By exploring the world of food, we can discover new ingredients, techniques, and recipes that inspire us to cook with creativity and passion. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**A Taste of Tradition**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's traditional cuisine. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Future of Food**

As we continue to explore the world of food, it's essential to recognize the importance of cultural heritage and historical influences. Madagascar's cuisine is a perfect example of how traditional recipes can be adapted and innovated upon to create truly unique flavors. By embracing this rich history and tradition, cooks can create delicious and innovative dishes that showcase the best of Madagascar's food scene.

**A Delicious Exploration**

Madagascar's banana fritters are a delicious snack that showcases the country's unique flavor profile. With their crispy exterior and creamy interior, these tasty treats offer a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Whether you're a seasoned chef or an adventurous eater, Madagascar's banana fritters are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

**The Power of Food**

Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In the case of Madagascar's banana fritters, this is particularly true. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique cultural identity and create delicious dishes that showcase its rich heritage.

**A Culinary Journey Through Time**

Madagascar's banana fritters are more than just a tasty snack – they're a window into the country's rich cultural heritage. The use of cassava flour and coconut milk in many dishes reflects the complex history and migration patterns that have shaped the country's cuisine. By exploring the flavors of Madagascar, cooks can gain a deeper understanding of the country's unique identity and traditions.

**The Magic of Madagascar**

Madagascar is a subcontinent island with a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history of migration and colonization. The country's cuisine reflects this complex history, with many dishes featuring ingredients like cassava flour and coconut milk. By exploring the flavors of

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe real story of global culinary tradition can be found in the kitchens of everyday women cooking for their families so much so that i wrote a book about it featuring grandmothers from different african countries sharing traditional recipes from their homeland now i want to share my take on some of these classic african dishes for you to enjoy welcome to hawa at home hi i'm hala hassan and today i'm going to be making banana fritters for my cookbook in baby's kitchen this recipe came to me through a grandmother in madagascar banana fritters are really popular across the world but especially in madagascar they're a street food that is desired and eaten daily this is a snack that's often served to guests with coffee and when one of the grandmothers talked about it she just basically said it's like you know it's like what nuts are to us um it's just a snack that's eaten all over the all over their country but it's also one that is served in variety of ways whether you're a guest in someone home or you're picking it up on the side of the road on the way to work there isn't really i'm not told that there's any um cultural combinations behind it uh but i assume that it has to be from all of the influences that the country has had what really makes it different from all of the banana fritters that are eaten across the world is that it's made with cassava flour cassava flour is grain free gluten free and nut free one of the biggest takeaways for me in the mozambican chapter was cassava flour which is something that i use now often in my cooking it's a lot better than all-purpose flour because it's not processed so i've got my oil heating to 375. so i'm gonna get my batter ready now i've got some water and some yeast my water is about body temperature cassava flour is from the plant cassava the reason why i like to use it is because it's gluten free let the yeast and water sit for a few minutes then we'll add our cassava flour and three tablespoons of sugar this is a treat for me because somali people really really love bananas we eat it with everything i spent a ton of my childhood in seattle being made fun of for eating lunchables and bananas together we just add it to all of our meals we love sweet and savory i love the argument of you know when to eat your banana i like mine aged i like mine on the sweeter side and you want this to sit for about 30 minutes you want it to be bubbly and nice you'll know it's ready when it has that yeasty smell to it this will help for a light fluffy crispy batter on our fritters what i learned while doing this cookbook and doing research for the book was that banana fritters are a big part of street food culture you know bananas are really cheap to buy flour is really cheap to buy oil is really cheap to buy and so it's something that's eaten on the go often kind of in the same way that in some other countries tacos like here in the u.s you can find lots of tacos on the side of the road so they're consumed kind of in that same way so i'll cover this with a kitchen towel and let it sit for about 30 minutes once it's ready we'll get our fritters going madagascar is a subcontinent island off the continent of africa it split off about 80 million yeah 80 million years ago and was left there to sit it is said to have people who migrated from east asia and then soon were joined by folks from the arabian peninsula which is a fun fact it is one of the five largest islands in the world it is surrounded by reunion island uh comoros which is also featured in the book the foods of madagascar include lots of coconut lots of bananas many different variations of bananas and their cuisine is heavily influenced by indian cooking so about 90 of the plants and the animals found in mega in madagascar cannot be found anywhere else so there is more than lemurs and king julius the french colonized madagascar in the late 1800s they did not give madagascar back to the people of the country until 1960 but it took another 15 years for it to fully become a country of the people of madagascar so they're heavily influenced by french so i've been letting my batter sit for 30 minutes let's have a look oh that's perfect it's yeasty it's thick it's gonna create a nice crispy fritter for us so let me get started on our bananas you want bananas that are sweet but firm to touch like this so when you cut it you get a clean cut yellow bananas are often a lot more sweeter especially as they age where the green bananas that are used in a lot of the cooking here in the book are and in africa are you know they're harder they're much more for cooking as opposed to enjoying on the side of your food or for a snack they are the green bananas are just right before plantains i would say and way before the yellow banana if they're too ripe then they become a little mushy and cook as a somali person i am i think an obsession would be like maybe what explains my love for bananas this banana fritter recipe is really the basic banana but also in the book there are recipes for green bananas and that you can find that in the in the tanzania chapter it's called motoke so it's like banana with coconut milk and beef my oil is ready it's about 3.75 so as you could see it's a very thin batter the intention is just to coat the banana and you could do this with vegetables as well but this is how people in madagascar do it it makes for a perfect snack or an appetizer so if your oil starts to cool down once you put the bananas in just go ahead and turn it up you want this between 365 and 375. all right so you'll know when they're done because the bananas will float to the top and they'll have this nice crisp golden look to one and just take these guys to the side and then i'll continue with the rest of our batch traditionally in madagascar these are eaten with vanilla bean sauce but today i'm just gonna make a little mango a little papaya and then i'm gonna just drizzle a little lime juice on them it's a perfect snack i'll have extra batter because i'm only making a few bananas for myself but you can make as many as you want bananas are a fruit that are originally from west africa i don't know if a lot of people know that it was introduced to the americans by the portuguese so you have the portuguese to think and you know it's again i think that a lot of people who eat bananas in the continent especially along the indian ocean really use it as a flavoring agent for their food you know it adds just an extra layer of um of a flavor that isn't present in the dish that you've already cooked and so again like that layering of flavor and spice is what continues to show up along the indian ocean and bananas really helped to add to that narrative great so my second batch is ready i'm gonna go ahead and serve myself i've got my papaya and my mango i'm just gonna go ahead and put a little bit of powdered sugar on our fritters a little lime all right the banana is creamy and sweet the cassava flour is light and perfect a great replacement for all-purpose flour remember it's grain-free gluten-free nut-free i love to see you make this recipe it's a perfect snack this is great youthe real story of global culinary tradition can be found in the kitchens of everyday women cooking for their families so much so that i wrote a book about it featuring grandmothers from different african countries sharing traditional recipes from their homeland now i want to share my take on some of these classic african dishes for you to enjoy welcome to hawa at home hi i'm hala hassan and today i'm going to be making banana fritters for my cookbook in baby's kitchen this recipe came to me through a grandmother in madagascar banana fritters are really popular across the world but especially in madagascar they're a street food that is desired and eaten daily this is a snack that's often served to guests with coffee and when one of the grandmothers talked about it she just basically said it's like you know it's like what nuts are to us um it's just a snack that's eaten all over the all over their country but it's also one that is served in variety of ways whether you're a guest in someone home or you're picking it up on the side of the road on the way to work there isn't really i'm not told that there's any um cultural combinations behind it uh but i assume that it has to be from all of the influences that the country has had what really makes it different from all of the banana fritters that are eaten across the world is that it's made with cassava flour cassava flour is grain free gluten free and nut free one of the biggest takeaways for me in the mozambican chapter was cassava flour which is something that i use now often in my cooking it's a lot better than all-purpose flour because it's not processed so i've got my oil heating to 375. so i'm gonna get my batter ready now i've got some water and some yeast my water is about body temperature cassava flour is from the plant cassava the reason why i like to use it is because it's gluten free let the yeast and water sit for a few minutes then we'll add our cassava flour and three tablespoons of sugar this is a treat for me because somali people really really love bananas we eat it with everything i spent a ton of my childhood in seattle being made fun of for eating lunchables and bananas together we just add it to all of our meals we love sweet and savory i love the argument of you know when to eat your banana i like mine aged i like mine on the sweeter side and you want this to sit for about 30 minutes you want it to be bubbly and nice you'll know it's ready when it has that yeasty smell to it this will help for a light fluffy crispy batter on our fritters what i learned while doing this cookbook and doing research for the book was that banana fritters are a big part of street food culture you know bananas are really cheap to buy flour is really cheap to buy oil is really cheap to buy and so it's something that's eaten on the go often kind of in the same way that in some other countries tacos like here in the u.s you can find lots of tacos on the side of the road so they're consumed kind of in that same way so i'll cover this with a kitchen towel and let it sit for about 30 minutes once it's ready we'll get our fritters going madagascar is a subcontinent island off the continent of africa it split off about 80 million yeah 80 million years ago and was left there to sit it is said to have people who migrated from east asia and then soon were joined by folks from the arabian peninsula which is a fun fact it is one of the five largest islands in the world it is surrounded by reunion island uh comoros which is also featured in the book the foods of madagascar include lots of coconut lots of bananas many different variations of bananas and their cuisine is heavily influenced by indian cooking so about 90 of the plants and the animals found in mega in madagascar cannot be found anywhere else so there is more than lemurs and king julius the french colonized madagascar in the late 1800s they did not give madagascar back to the people of the country until 1960 but it took another 15 years for it to fully become a country of the people of madagascar so they're heavily influenced by french so i've been letting my batter sit for 30 minutes let's have a look oh that's perfect it's yeasty it's thick it's gonna create a nice crispy fritter for us so let me get started on our bananas you want bananas that are sweet but firm to touch like this so when you cut it you get a clean cut yellow bananas are often a lot more sweeter especially as they age where the green bananas that are used in a lot of the cooking here in the book are and in africa are you know they're harder they're much more for cooking as opposed to enjoying on the side of your food or for a snack they are the green bananas are just right before plantains i would say and way before the yellow banana if they're too ripe then they become a little mushy and cook as a somali person i am i think an obsession would be like maybe what explains my love for bananas this banana fritter recipe is really the basic banana but also in the book there are recipes for green bananas and that you can find that in the in the tanzania chapter it's called motoke so it's like banana with coconut milk and beef my oil is ready it's about 3.75 so as you could see it's a very thin batter the intention is just to coat the banana and you could do this with vegetables as well but this is how people in madagascar do it it makes for a perfect snack or an appetizer so if your oil starts to cool down once you put the bananas in just go ahead and turn it up you want this between 365 and 375. all right so you'll know when they're done because the bananas will float to the top and they'll have this nice crisp golden look to one and just take these guys to the side and then i'll continue with the rest of our batch traditionally in madagascar these are eaten with vanilla bean sauce but today i'm just gonna make a little mango a little papaya and then i'm gonna just drizzle a little lime juice on them it's a perfect snack i'll have extra batter because i'm only making a few bananas for myself but you can make as many as you want bananas are a fruit that are originally from west africa i don't know if a lot of people know that it was introduced to the americans by the portuguese so you have the portuguese to think and you know it's again i think that a lot of people who eat bananas in the continent especially along the indian ocean really use it as a flavoring agent for their food you know it adds just an extra layer of um of a flavor that isn't present in the dish that you've already cooked and so again like that layering of flavor and spice is what continues to show up along the indian ocean and bananas really helped to add to that narrative great so my second batch is ready i'm gonna go ahead and serve myself i've got my papaya and my mango i'm just gonna go ahead and put a little bit of powdered sugar on our fritters a little lime all right the banana is creamy and sweet the cassava flour is light and perfect a great replacement for all-purpose flour remember it's grain-free gluten-free nut-free i love to see you make this recipe it's a perfect snack this is great you\n"