Homemade Potato Chips

The month of May in Pune is a time for summer vacation, over-chlorinated swimming pools, Alphonso mangoes and 40º C plus temperatures. It is also time for the industrious Puneri housewife to make homemade kurdai, papadi and potato chips. There isn’t a Puneri worth his salt that hasn’t slipped on or walked over a sheet full of sticky sabudana papad freshly laid out to dehydrate in the scorching summer sun. One of the most common sights of the Maharashtrian summer is an assortment of papads spread over sheets of tarp on roofs, terraces, courtyards and any flat surface that had the potential for catching a bit of the sun, irrespective of its inconvenience to the passerby. I always wondered “Why would you toil for a whole day making the batter, spend another couple of hours laying them in the sun, employ the area kids to make sure the birds aren’t stealing them and in a week you’d have a substandard side-dish that one can totally live without?” Not to mention these are readily available at any neighbourhood store—and really cheap, too. Although I must say, my cricket skills would have been even more lacklustre, if I didn’t have to submit to the rule that if the ball were to land directly on any of Mrs. Natoo’s papads, you’re out!! And as if that wasn’t punishment enough, an addendum to the rule stated that the retrieval of said ball would become the sole responsibility of the batsman.

Ingredients

  • 2 Whole boiled Potatoes
  • Chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil for deep frying

Method

  • Using a slicer make thin slices of the potatoes over a sheet of plastic making sure the potatoes do not overlap
  • Place the sheet directly in the sun (or better yet, start the slicing outdoors in the sun) and allow the potatoes to dehydrate for a day or two
  • When completely dehydrated, they’re ready to fry
  • In a wok, take enough oil for deep-frying
  • Put 7-8 slices at a time
  • When slices puff up, remove and place over an absorbing sheet (like a newspaper or tissue)
  • Drizzle chili powder and salt over chips as per taste
  • Serve without guilt

Comments

Alka said…
Each word so very true...but then there was some feeling of satisfaction in that nonsense too..isn't it? I had stopped making papads at home since it turns up as huge task with kid and all, but I still miss those moments when during our summer vacation all the neighbouring aunts will pull up their sleeves(lol)to help each other in making papads, wadis, wafers, chaklis etc.A time to gossip, enjoy freshly dehydrated, fried crispy munchies with everyone..where are those days, those sentiments, those people now?..sigh.
The wafers looks so crisp, and I will prefer home made ones than any branded, so-called-no preservative added-no MSG added-hygienically made wafers ..phew !
Chaitali said…
Haha..that is so true! But I would have to say that it applies for most Mumbaikars as well. I can't recollect a single summer wherein I haven't slipped/fell/been yelled at for stepping on some auntie's precious stack of papads.
You have an interesting method for making chips.I just slice and fry raw potatoes but I'm never satisfied with the way they turn out. I have to try out your method before I totally give up on chips.
Oh btw...first timer here. Love your blog!
Shivani said…
:) even i remember my summer days in Kolhapur, every weekend there will be different types of papad (kurudi, salpapadya, shabuche papad, nachani che papad, ghawache papad,...) miss those days. Also miss the 'papadachepith' to eat while making. :) I liked your post, remembered all old days. I remember my mother use to grate potatoes and keep overnight in 'turati' water to keep them white. and then in the morning spread on plastic sheet in sun.
Chicagal said…
This article kinda took me to the good old days!! I remember getting up very early in the morning and helping aaji with her batatyache papad in our gacchi, before the sun became unbearable!!
And also liked your other blogs that I read...can relate to most of them..being born on this side of FC road and married on to the other.Will keeping checking your blog again! Cheers!
Unknown said…
No one will understand a Maharashtrian's love for the Alphonso mango. I made a trip to Pune in the oppressive heat of May with the sole intent to indulge in the king of all fruits. I think I just shed a tear while penning this...Heck, atleast it's an amusing story for my American friends
www.ChiCha.in said…
hii.. Nice Post

Thanks for sharing
Sardar said…
i love to eat chips in free time
shiny said…
hiiiii.....Great Blog...Nice post

Thanks for sharing....
Awesome post, thanks for sharing this post..

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