KELEWELE RECIPE WITH SAGE

'Kelewele' is a popular, street snack from Ghana, which is made from ripened Plantain mixed with spices and it's readily available in most street corners each evening. 

Interestingly, they're only available each evening till late and hardly during the day ( I stand corrected if that has changed recently).  Whenever next you're Ghana, why not enquire about it or better still make your own 'Kelewele' by following this simple recipe. 

Warning: 

You can be addicted to this crunchy & soft candy like texture , sweet & spicy snack. 

In this recipe I've  used my 'herbs' of the season 'Pineapple Sage' and 'Thyme', however be creative and try incorporating different flavours to this recipe. The herbs are optional (hence you can do without). Add any herb or spices that you prefer, Rosemary, Oregano, Marjoram etc or  spices like Cumin, Anjwan seeds, dill seeds etc..

Most ingredients are readily available in your local supermarkets or specialist Grocers  

Ingredients 

Herby Ginger mix

35g of fresh Ginger

1 small clove of garlic

1 large shallot or  medium size, white onion

1 Jalapeño Pepper or half a habanero chilli

2 Juniper berries (Optional)

4 Pineapple Sage leaves (Optional)

10g of fresh Thyme (Optional)

Place the above in a blender.

Add a little water if required (helps with blending) 

Blend till smooth and set aside.

Ingredients;

Half a teaspoon of red chilli powder 

Half a teaspoon of mixed spices (with a clove and pimento base) or (Ghana mixed spice.

Salt to taste

2 large ripened Plantain cut into cubes

600ml of Groundnut oil. 

Method;

Add the cubed Plantain to a bowl

Add the chilli powder and mixed spice

Add 2 tablespoonful of the Ginger mix

Salt to taste and mix till well combined. 

See below;

Pour the oil into a saucepan and place on a medium heat for 3 minutes

Add the spiced Plantain cubes and fry for about 7-8 minutes ( making sure you stir to allow an even cook)

Using a slotted spoon, remove the golden coloured Plantain nuggets 'Kelewele' into a colander, covered with kitchen blotting paper, to absorb any excess oil.

Serve with roasted Peanuts and savour each nugget with a glass of freshly blended Pineapple juice. 

Click on the link below and watch the full video on my YouTube page, Ndudu by Fafa. 

All photos and recipes are by the owner of this blog.

Recipe for 'Kelewele' (Spiced cubed ripened Plantain)

'Kelewele' (cubed and spiced ripened Plantain) is a famous street food in Ghana. Interestingly it's available in the evenings and by 6pm there are long queues for this Ghanaian delicacy. Paying homage to all the 'Kelewele' sellers in Ghana, here is a simple and quick to follow recipe. 

Serves 6

Ingredients

4 Ripened plantains cut in cubes

1 teaspoon of all spice mix

Half a teaspoon of powdered red chilli

1 teaspoon of grated ginger

1 tablespoon of finely diced onion

Half a teaspoon of oregano (Optional)

1 litre of vegetable oil. 

Method

In a bowl add the spice mix, powdered chilli, ginger, onion and (optional) oregano.

Add the diced Plantain and mix well. 

Place a saucepan with the vegetable oil on a medium heat till it's hot or reaches 190*c

Add the spiced Plantain and fry till it's golden which should take about 4 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the golden and caramelised looking Plantain to a clean kitchen napkin to blot the excess oil.

Serve warm and enjoy with a Chilled bottle of beer (Club, Guilder or Star beer) or better still a chilled calabash full of fresh Palm wine.