Batata Vada (deep fried potato fritters)

January 16th would have been my dad's 60th birthday. He had big plans for his 60th. Sadly, we lost him last year to a terrible disease called COPD. My dad was a vegetarian who really didn't like vegetables. He LOVED potatoes. He had made up this fake grace to say at the table which went like this--" Oh Lord! I thank you for this meal and for making this wonderful vegetable/root called the potato". Batata vada was his all time favorite. Its a street food from the state of Maharashtra, eaten with a bun, much like a burger. So here it is, batata vada in memory of my darling father:much loved and remembered every day.

Ingredients

6 Large potatoes, cooked and mashed
2 green chillies
1 bunch cilantro leaves
3 pods garlic
2 tblsp lime juice
1/2 tsp turmeric
salt to taste

For the batter
Chick pea flour-1 cup
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp red chilly powder
salt to taste
water

Oil to fry

Method: Grind chillies, cilantro garlic, lime juice and turmeric using very little water. Add to potatoes. Add salt and mix well together.


Form the potato mixture into patties.

Add chickpea flour to a bowl. Add turmeric, salt and chilly powder. Add just enough water to form a smooth paste.

Dip each potato patty in the chick pea flour batter. Fry till golden brown. Serve hot with ketchup/chutneys or more traditionally between a bun with fried green chillies.