Fresh Green Chana Pakoda ( Fresh Green Chickpeas Fritters)

Servings: 2-3
Preparation time: 4-5 minutes.
Making batter time: 2-3 minutes.
Frying time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 10 minutes.
Total time: 30 minutes.

In Bihari households, this “Fresh Green Chana Pakoda” is mostly prepared on the occasion of Holika Dahan.

It is considered a special seasonal treat and is often enjoyed as a tea-time snack or served as a side dish with meals. The warmth of freshly fried pakodas adds to the festive atmosphere, making it a comforting and much-loved preparation during this traditional celebration.

Fresh green chana is readily available in Bihari daily market in the form of green gram without the outer layer, making it convenient for use.

Here in Mumbai, however, the whole green gram plant is available in the market, including the pods and leaves. This difference adds a unique experience, and cleaning and shelling the chana brings back a traditional, hands-on way of cooking, that feels close to village life.

My husband does this job for me, carefully cleaning and shelling the green chana. This small gesture fills my heart with warmth and truly feels like an expression of inner love.

Such simple acts of care make the food even more special and turn everyday cooking into a moment of togetherness and affection.

“Fresh Green Chana Pakoda”, also known as “Fresh Green Chickpeas Fritters”, is a delightful seasonal snack made from tender, freshly harvested green chana. Lightly spiced and deep fried until crisp, these pakodas have a unique earthy flavour and a soft, nutty bite inside. Popular during winter, we enjoy as an evening snack or as a side dish in a traditional meal, offering both taste and nourishment with every bite.

Ingredients:

Fresh Green Chana (Fresh Green Chickpeas): 1 cup
Besan (gram Flour): 1/4 cup
Rice Flour: 2 tablespoon
Salt: 1 teaspoon (as per your taste)
Turmeric Powder: 1 pinch
Ajwain: 1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper: 10-15 no.
Lemon juice: 1 teaspoon
Onion: 1 no. (Small)
Ginger: 2” pieces
Garlic: 3-4 clove
Green chilli: 1-2 no.
Hot Oil: 1 tablespoon (for moin)
Fresh coriander leaves: 50 gm.
Mustard Oil/ Cooking Oil: for frying

Preparation:

Roughly grind 1/4 cup of fresh green chana, ginger, garlic, green chilli and coriander leaves on pulse mode in mixer grinder, keep aside.
Finely chop onion, keep aside.

Method:

For making pakoda Batter:

Take a big mixing bowl, put roughly ground fresh chana and remaining fresh green chana, chopped onion, salt, ajwain, black pepper, lemon juice and turmeric powder, mix well.
Keep aside for 10-15 minutes; onion releases moisture, add besan and rice flour, make semisolid batter.
Add hot oil; now batter is ready.

Frying Pakoda:

Take heavy bottom fry pan, put oil in the fry pan, and Let oil to smoke.
Drop small size batter in it. (Either helps of your hand or spoon)
If batter comes up, it means right temperature of oil otherwise wait for a while and test again.
After getting right temperature of oil, deep fry all pakoda on medium flame (size of your choice), till golden colour appears. Keep aside.
Repeat this till all batter is finished.
“Fresh Green Chana Pakoda ( Fresh Green Chickpeas Fritters)”, serve piping hot with Green Chutney and Sesame Seed Chutney followed by ginger tea.