Lotus Root Fries / Renkon chips ( தாமரை தண்டு வறுவல் )

Lotus Root Fries / Renkon chips

 ( தாமரை தண்டு வறுவல் )

                            

Ingredient:

Renkon / Lotus Root ( தாமரை தண்டு ) - 1 

• Vinegar water ( வினீகர் ) - 2 tbsp
• Oil for deep frying (  பொரிப்பதற்கு எண்ணெய் )
• Himalayan Pink Salt (or sea salt)- தேவையான அளவு உப்பு ) 
• Fried / roasted Sesame seeds ( optional ) - 2tsp
•  ( விருப்பப்பட்டால் வறுத்த எள்ளு ) 

Steps:

Wash and peel the skin of the vegetable.

Add 2 tbsp of vinegar in a bowl of water.

Using a sharp knife or a slicer, thin slice the lotus root.

Soak them in vinegar for 5 to 10 minutes. This is to retain the colour while frying.

Drain, pat dry on a clean kitchen towel. Spread it out well.

Heat oil and fry few pieces at a time in a medium flame until crisp.

Drain from oil. Sprinkle the roasted sesame seeds and the salt. Toss well and serve. 

                               
My Notes:
Renkon is the  Japanese name for lotus root. It is a simple dish, like any other deep fried veg chips like the potato / raw bananas but lotus root is airy and crispy with its holes. The unique flavour of lotus root is something you cannot stop eating. 
Health peeps, enjoy this fully, cut down on something else unhealthy or go for that extra run in your regular exercise regime.

This smooth grey-white tube, is crunchy and  has delicate flavor. 
Neutral or mild sweet like the water chestnut. Fleshy than the banana stem.
It is called ' thamarai kilangu' in tamil. Back home in India, we have commonly used this root in a different way. I have fond memories of eating this as vathal , at my paternal grand mom' house at sholavandan, with curd rice during summer vacations. 
It is  sun dried and processed to be stored and used as a vathal - dry vegetable, deep fried and consumed with curd rice. Less often fresh one is cooked as a side dish. But never tasted the fresh vegetable as a deep fried one until I had had in Singapore.

I have had the chance to taste this deep fried version sprinkled on my vegetarian food ordered at a Chinese Restaurant. Since then wanted to try doing at home as I have always pressure cooked this vegetable and prepared as a stir fry dish for meals.
I shall post that recipe separately. 

This simple vegetable is considered to promote in the production of red blood cells in addition to regulate your blood pressure with its agreeable ratio of sodium and potassium ( 1:4 )
It has adequate level of pyridoxine which helps to control headache, nervous irritability and related symptoms.