Ponsa Appo (Ripe Jackfruit Paniyaram)

Ponsa Appo is a simple breakfast or snack.  In Konkani, Ponosu means ripe jackfruit and appo means small dumplings cooked in a special pan. Few months back I had prepared dosa using ripe jackfruit. My MIL suggested me to try making appo using same batter. Then I thought of making it once I find the fresh fruit. Recently I bought a huge piece of jackfruit and wanted to try it. I slightly changed my dosa recipe. I substituted semolina for rice and also added a piece of cashew in each appo for a little surprise. It turned out very good and I loved them. 

Ingredients:

• Semolina/ Sooji - 1 cup
• Ripe Jackfruit, chopped- 1 cup
• Jaggery*- To taste
• Cardamom pods- 2
• Grated Coconut- 2 Tbsp
• Roasted Cashew nut - As required (optional)
• Salt- A pinch

*The amount of jaggery required completely depends on how sweet the jackfruit is and how much more sweet you want. The jackfruit I used was mildly sweet. I like mine very sweet. Hence added more jaggery (nearly 1/3 cup). 

Procedure:

 Clean the ripe jackfruit. Discard the seeds and chop the clean jackfruit pods.

Now take the chopped jackfruit along with crushed jaggery, grated coconut and cardamom seeds in a blender.

Grind it into a smooth paste (without adding water).

Now transfer this paste into a mixing bowl. Then add semolina.

Mix well and allow the mixture to rest for 5- 10 minutes (at this point test the mixture for sweetness). Add water to adjust the consistency. The final consistency of the batter should be thick but of dropping consistency.

Now heat the special pan (I got it from India), used for making Appo. You can as well use this pan.

Add few drops of ghee in each small moulds. Then pour the batter in each of them. Place a piece of cashew nut in each mould.

Let it cook on a medium heat, covered/uncovered until it turns golden brown on bottom part. Then carefully turn them using a fork/spoon.

Fry the other side until you get a uniform color throughout. Remove them and serve. 

Ponsa Appo is ready!!

Serve it hot with generous drizzle of ghee on it. Above measurement makes 19 appos.