Sharkara Varatti: The Sweet Star of the Onam Sadya

By Khaira Chips | Authentic Kerala Banana Chips

If the classic salted banana chip is the everyday hero of Kerala snacks, Sharkara Varatti is its festive, celebratory cousin. A staple during the grand Onam Sadya (the traditional multi-course vegetarian feast of Kerala), these sweet, spiced, jaggery-coated chips are a culinary masterpiece.

How is Sharkara Varatti Made?

Creating perfect Sharkara Varatti requires immense skill and patience. It is an intricate process that transforms raw Nendran bananas into a hard, sweet, crystallized delicacy:

• The Cut: Unlike regular banana chips which are sliced paper-thin, bananas for Sharkara Varatti are chopped into thick, hearty chunks.
• The Fry: These thick chunks are deep-fried in pure coconut oil until they are completely dehydrated and rock-hard.
• The Syrup: A thick syrup is created by melting pure jaggery (unrefined cane sugar). Spices like dry ginger (chukku), cardamom, and sometimes a pinch of cumin are added to the syrup.
• The Coating: The fried chunks are tossed into the boiling jaggery syrup. The mixture is stirred vigorously until the syrup cools and crystallizes, forming a thick, sweet crust around each chip.

A Nutritional Powerhouse

While it is undeniably a sweet treat, Sharkara Varatti has traditional health benefits. Jaggery is rich in iron and unrefined minerals, while dry ginger and cardamom are famous in Ayurvedic medicine for aiding digestion—which is exactly why it is served during the heavy Onam Sadya feast!

Celebrate Every Day

You don't need to wait for Onam to enjoy this delicacy. At Khaira Chips, we prepare authentic Sharkara Varatti year-round using traditional recipes passed down through generations.