RATALYACHA KEES

 RATALYACHA  KEES

Sweet Potatoes, a sweet and starchy root vegetable is easily available in most parts of India. Since it can be cooked in many forms it is popular in many regions of our vast country, especially in the State of Maharashtra. It is called Shakarkandi in Hindi, Ratale in Marathi, and Sihi Genasu in Kannada. In my mother tongue, Konkani, we call this Kanang.

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with Sweet Potato, such as:-

• Sweet Potato Fry
• Sweet Potato Tikkis
• Sweet Potato Podimas

Being rich in fibres, antioxidants, and beta carotene, Sweet Potatoes have numerous health benefits .

Today's recipe is for a snack from Maharashtra called  Ratalyacha Kees. This is made by grating the sweet potato instead of cutting them into cubes. It is commonly made in Maharashtra for the many who observe fasts during the Navratri festival.

We like this dish so much and it is very easy to make. Hence, I make this in my house sometimes as an accompaniment for rotis. I serve this with curds.

Do try it out and let me know how you liked it.

Ingredients:-

• Sweet Potatoes,  300-350 grams
• Green Chillies, 4
• Peanuts, 1/4 cup
• Ghee, 1 tbsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 3 tbsp
• Coriander Leaves, chopped, 2 tbsp
• Lemon, (Juice of 1/2 a lemon)

Method:

Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, snip off the two ends

Peel the sweet potatoes and grate them using the larger side of the grater

Immerse them in water to avoid discolouration. Keep aside.

Dry roast the peanuts in a pan on medium heat till spots appear

Remove them from the pan and allow them to cool and de-skin the peanuts

Crush the roasted peanuts with a mortar and pestle to get a coarse powder. Keep aside

Heat a tbsp of ghee in a kadhai and on medium heat add the cumin seeds 

When they sizzle, add the chopped green chillies and sauté

Add the grated sweet potatoes ( after having removed them from the water and straining them through a strainer)

Saute on high flame then lower the heat and cook till it gets done 

Take care that this does not get overcooked

Add salt and chopped coriander leaves and mix well

Garnish with fresh coconut gratings

Mix in the freshly ground peanut powder which enhances the taste of this dish

Lastly add the lemon juice and mix once again

Transfer to a serving bowl