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#### 2. **Add Coconut and Jaggery**
Once your bananas are mashed, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. Add **1/2 cup of desiccated coconut** to the mashed bananas and mix well. The coconut adds a wonderful texture and slight sweetness to the banana sweet. Next, stir in **1/4 cup of jaggery** (or brown sugar) for that rich, caramel-like sweetness. Jaggery, a natural unrefined sugar, is a great alternative to refined sugars and adds a unique flavor to the sweet.
#### 3. **Spice It Up**
For an extra touch of flavor, add **1/4 tsp of cardamom powder** to the mixture. Cardamom pairs beautifully with banana and coconut, giving the dessert an aromatic, warm flavor. This step is optional, but highly recommended for that traditional touch.
#### 4. **Cook the Mixture**
Place a non-stick pan or skillet on medium heat. Pour the banana mixture into the pan and cook, stirring constantly to avoid sticking. As you cook, the mixture will start to thicken and come together into a dough-like consistency. This should take about **5-7 minutes**.
#### 5. **Shape the Banana Sweet**
Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then, lightly grease your hands with some ghee or oil and shape the banana mixture into small, bite-sized **balls or squares**. If you prefer, you can also press the mixture into a greased tray and cut it into squares once it cools completely.
#### 6. **Let It Cool and Serve**
Allow the banana sweet to cool to room temperature. The coconut and banana will give it a chewy texture, while the jaggery adds richness. Once it has cooled, it’s ready to be enjoyed!
### Tips for Success:
– **Adjust sweetness**: If your bananas are extra ripe and sweet, you can reduce the amount of jaggery or brown sugar in the recipe.
– **Use ghee**: For added flavor, you can lightly grease your hands with **ghee** (clarified butter) when shaping the sweets. Ghee imparts a lovely richness and aroma to the banana sweet.
– **Try adding nuts**: If you like a little crunch, you can stir in some chopped **cashews**, **almonds**, or **pistachios** into the banana mixture for added texture and flavor.
– **Storage**: Once prepared, store your homemade banana sweets in an airtight container. They can stay fresh for about 3-4 days at room temperature, or you can refrigerate them for longer shelf life.
### Why This Recipe Works:
– **Bananas**: Bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the dish. The more ripe the bananas are, the better!
– **Desiccated coconut**: Adds texture and flavor, making the treat chewy and satisfying.
– **Jaggery**: This unrefined sugar gives the sweet a deep, caramel-like flavor while keeping it healthier than refined sugars.
– **Cardamom**: This aromatic spice brings out the flavors of the banana and coconut, giving the treat a warm, inviting fragrance.
### Health Benefits of This Banana Sweet
This homemade banana sweet is not only delicious but also offers some **health benefits**:
– **Bananas** are rich in **potassium**, **fiber**, and **vitamins**, making this treat a healthy snack option.
– **Desiccated coconut** provides a good source of **healthy fats** and **fiber**.
– **Jaggery** is a more natural alternative to refined sugar, and it retains more nutrients like **iron** and **minerals**.
### Conclusion
Don’t throw away those overripe bananas! With this easy recipe, you can turn them into a delightful homemade banana sweet with just four simple ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, a quick dessert, or a fun way to repurpose your ripe bananas, this recipe is a winner. It’s quick, simple, and full of flavor—perfect for satisfying your cravings in a natural and nutritious way. Try it today and enjoy a tasty treat made from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
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