Yam or Elephant’s Foot in English is called Suran in Marathi and Surangaddi in Kannada. Yam makes delicious chips or in this case as my daughter’s who seems to think Indian food is not cool these were Yam Steaks.
If you seen the full yam it does remind you of an elephant’s foot. The first time my daughter saw it as a child her reaction was what stone is this? Looks as ugly. Small wonder that it’s not appreciated in my house.
Have you watched the old Hindi film “Bawarchi”? Rajesh Khanna is the cook and on the first day of his job, he makes what the family members think of as mutton well actually it's yam. My mom made it just like that so also my co-sister but I cannot manage it. So in my house, it ends up in sambhar, veggie which no one eats or cutlets which everyone adores.
But this time I made them in these kappas sorry steaks.
These are traditionally made in Goa. We have different veggies served as what is locally called “kappa”, so we have batat kappa, cauliflower kappa, vangi( brinjals) kappa, maddi che kappa, neer phanas ( bread fruit) kappa, karati(Bitter gourd) kappa, bhendi kappa and of course suran che kappaand many many more that I have forgotten…
Traditionally the vegetables are cut up, and then you apply turmeric, chilli powder, salt and set them aside for say ½ an hour.
In a Hindu household they are dipped in rice rava which they call alan or rava and shallow fried on the skillet. They replace the fried fish which get the same treatment. The Catholics have an extra step they are dipped in beaten egg before they are fried.
Fried is shallow fried no deep frying please the taste of the vegetable or fish is retained and they yum with rice that is our staple food here and curry.
Surana che Kappa or as the girls called them Yam Steaks the yam can be itchy.
I mean the yam can make you itch as my Krishana Teacher explained,” Plants devise ways to stop animals from eating them. Like they grow thorns etc., they also have chemical defenses they see to it that you itch. Result animals avoid them egs. for this are alu, yam etc. But man is a selfish animal he finds ways to get round it. So whenever you use these veggies you will find your mother oiling her hands first and then using tamarind to neutralize the chemical” she did name the chemical found in Alu and Suran some oxalate I forget.
It’s difficult to cut the suran at home please bear in mind its hard if you are cutting it please be careful.
Ingredients:
• 7-10 pieces of The yam or suran cut in big pieces but thin slices
• 1 small marble sized ball Some tamarind or2-3 pieces of kokum soaked in water
• Salt
• 1 teaspoon Chilli powder( adjust as per taste)
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 4-5 tblsp Bread crumbs(approx.)
• Oil to fry
Method:
• In the night before going to bed in a big bowl add the tamarind or kokum with a little water.
• Drop the pieces of yam in the water and let them sit covered overnight.
• In the morning drain the water and wash the yam under running water the apply salt, turmeric and red chilli powder. Mix well to ensure that the masalas spread evenly.
• After about ½ an hour dip them in the bread crumbs and lay them on a non-stick tava.
• Add a teaspoon or 2 of oil and cook covered on low flame.
• Once you get a delicious aroma about 5-10 minutes, flip them over and cool on low flame till golden brown.
• Serve hot with rice or as a snack.
I served them with the Apple Cider Balsamic Reduction drizzled on top.
Vaishali Sabnani says
Yes this yam resembles fish..in looks and taste both, I remember being forced to eat ..aw..I just could not...no offence but being vegetarian it was difficult..and till date have not been able to look at it though the rest of the family eat.
KP says
This seems delicious.In South Indian Tamil marriages yam chips are made like plantain or potato chips.It is also used in Keralite homes for making erusseri.
Deepa says
Yam sticks is my fav. Thanks for sharing the recipe
harini says
A wonderful snack!
Srivalli says
Nice reading about these Archana...and many times even I used to think that it was some mud..:)..never made these but I am sure this way must have been tasty..
manjula says
I love yam fry a lot looks super yummy and delicious dear 🙂 adding bread crumbs wud have made it more crispier 🙂
Priya says
Yam is one of my favourite veggies, love those irresistible yam steaks,delicious.
Sowmya says
oh that is so tempting and beautiful!!!
Sowmya
Pavani says
That is a delicious way to enjoy yam.. Looks yumm!!
Sandhya Karandikar says
Lovely recipe Archana. We too make similar Surnache Kaap. Delicious.
Preeti Garg says
One more Yam based recipe... so beautiful and tempting.
cookingwithsapana says
Yam steaks looks delicious ! Nice presentation Archna...
Chef Mireille says
lots of yam today and yours look just as delightful as the other yam dishes of the day
Rajani says
I hate the cleaning the yam and so usually avoid buying it. Its with this BM that I have shed the laziness :)..This is yam in whole new avatar and I am sure my husband and son would love this version.
veena says
Lovely recipe...i am sure i am going to make this soon