Zitumbuwa (Malawian Banana Fritters)
In short: Spoonfuls of ripe mashed banana batter fried until crisp outside and soft inside, sold warm as a snack at markets and bus stops in Malawi. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 345 kcal
Zitumbuwa are the banana fritters that Malawian vendors fry fresh by the roadside and sell by the handful. The batter is just very ripe mashed banana, flour and a little sugar. It is dropped into hot oil in spoonfuls and fried until the outside is crisp and the inside is soft and sweet. They are best eaten warm, with a cup of tea, within an hour of frying.
Instructions
- Peel the bananas and mash them in a bowl with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps.
- Stir in the sugar, salt, baking powder and flour until you have a thick batter that drops slowly off the spoon. If it is stiff, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot to 170°C (340°F). A drop of batter should rise and sizzle within a few seconds.
- Drop in tablespoons of batter, 5 or 6 at a time. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden and puffed.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Tips
- The bananas should be so ripe that the skin is mostly black. Underripe bananas give a bland, floury fritter.
- Keep the oil temperature steady. Too hot and the outside burns before the center cooks, too cool and the fritters soak up oil.
Questions and answers
Can I bake zitumbuwa instead of frying?
Not really. Baked, the batter turns into a muffin-like cake. If you want that, bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes in a lined muffin tin.
Can I add spices?
Yes. A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom works well, though the plain version is the most common.
How do I keep them from getting oily?
Use oil at 170°C (340°F) and fry in small batches. Drain them well on paper towels.
How long does it take to make Zitumbuwa (Malawian Banana Fritters)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zitumbuwa (Malawian Banana Fritters)?
About 345 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 63 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 345 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
