Here's a perfect companion for chai or coffee - Cabbage Vada. Vada is a fairly common snack in South India, but a variation with Cabbage is not so common.
Ten simple ingredients make up this wonderful snack that will make your family asking for more. For more tea time snacks, check my onion pakoda recipe that is almost similar to this one.
The preparation time is very short. So it comes in handy when you are out of snacks and don't feel like shopping for some. Most ingredients are pretty common, but if you are missing any, I have made it easy for you to look them up on Amazon.
For this recipe, I chose regular green cabbage, but the purple variety works well too. A common mistake most people do is they add water when they prepare the batter and the masala vada ends up absorbing a lot of oil. It is important to keep the batter relatively dry when you prepare it. In fact, when you add salt to the ingredients, the onions and cabbage will provide all the moisture you will need. You can spice up the recipe by adding a little extra chili powder. I like to keep it medium spicy.
How to make this recipe
- Place the chopped cabbage and onion in a mixing bowl
- Add all the spices - Chili powder, Coriander powder, Cumin seeds, Salt, and Asafoetida. Mix well and place it aside for 5-10 minutes
- Meanwhile, place a deep frypan over medium heat and the required amount of frying oil (2-3 inches deep).
- Take small chunks of batter and shape them into 20-25 balls (About 1"-2")
- Gently flatten the balls to make sure they cook evenly.
- Make sure the oil is ready for frying by dropping a small piece of batter in the oil. If the piece touches the bottom of the pan and comes up instantly, the oil is ready.
- Drop the flattened batter in batches of 5-10 depending on the size of your frying pan.
- Fry them until they turn golden brown on both sides.
- Place the vada on a paper towel to allow extra oil to drip and let it cool a little. Cabbage Vada is ready!
Cabbage Vada
Ingredients
- 1 small Cabbage - chopped
- 1 small Onion - finely chopped.
- 1 cup Besan flour/ chick pea flour
- 1 cup Rice flour
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Red chili powder
- 2 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- Pinch of Asfoetida
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Place the chopped cabbage and onion in a mixing bowl
- Add all the spices - Chili powder, Coriander powder, Cumin seeds, Salt, and Asfoetida . Mix well and place it aside for 5-10 minutes
- Meanwhile, place a deep fry pan over a medium heat and required amount of frying oil (2-3 inch deep).
- Take small chunks of batter and shape them into 20-25 balls (About 1"-2")
- Gently flatten the balls to make sure they cook evenly.
- Make sure the oil is ready for frying by dropping a small piece of batter in oil. It the piece touches the bottom of pan and comes up instantly, the oil is ready.
- Drop the flattened batter in batches of 5-10 depending on the size of your frying pan.
- Fry them until they turn golden brown on both sides.
- Place the vada on a paper towel to allow extra oil to drip and let it cool a little.
Aimée / Wallflower Girl
I love cabbage and these look super delicious! I would love to try baking them 🙂
Uma Srinivas
Thanks Aimee 🙂 that's wonderful idea. Next time I will do the same thing!
fashionphases
I've never tried this but it sure does look delicous! 🙂
Dave
That looks amazing. I'd imagine the cabbage inside would still have a little crunch to it. I'd love to try that!
Uma Srinivas
Thanks Dave! These are crunchy and soft, and delicious snack:)
tessciarloni
Your recipes are so interesting! I never would have thought to make cabbage into little patties to fry! I have some in my fridge right now that definitely needs to be turned into these. Thanks for sharing!!
Uma Srinivas
Thank you Tess 🙂 let me know how it turned out for you:)
Cooking Maniac
You had me at cabbage. Can't wait to try these.
Razena | Tantalisemytastebuds.com
This sounds perfect for breaking the fast during Ramadan. Thanks for sharing.
Uma Srinivas
Thank you Razena 🙂
Mackenzie Ryan (@FoodAboveGold)
I'm always looking for new cabbage recipes! I feel like it's a way too underutilized vegetable! This looks marvelous, and I usually have everything for this on hand! Yay for a new snack!
Uma Srinivas
Thank you! Hope you will enjoy this snack!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage)
These look like a real crowd pleaser!
Jenn
I have all those ingredients just waiting for me to make this. I love the idea of a savory snack with coffee.
Laura // Chronicles of Passion
I could eat cabbage at every meal! These sound so fun and delicious to make!
kage2015
These look delicious, there is only one spice I don't have on hand and will have to see where I can purchase it.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
what a nice snack with chai.
Kathy Hester
You've got my mouth watering. Those look fantastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These sound interesting! So packed! Love the chickpea flour of course 😉
Uma Srinivas
Thank you Rebecca 🙂 Yes me too!
Letty Flatt
Oh boy these look delicious! Do you think I could brush them with oil and bake them?
Uma Srinivas
Thanks Letty! I never tried to bake them. But soon I will try it and let you know!