How to make Plantain Balls

I am gearing up for Christmas with my Plantain balls. This is a dish I may cook for the special day.  This year it seems however that things are starting on a rather slow pace . There are signs that Christmas this year will be celebrated with the same pump and pageantry that we are used to. Some friend even joked that maybe Christmas has been postponed. I can feel slow pace of activities in the market. The market women are really complaining…. like they say ‘ No market’. The usual christmas song are missing on radio stations.

Well, whether Christmas has been postponed or not we will always have something to celebrate. Talking of celebration, my Plantain Balls is a new addition to the Nigerian  “small chops ” list and this calls for some excitment.  If you plan to have a party or entertain for Christmas then, this simple Plantain balls will be a winner with guests.
You can vary the filling, from Suya, left over grilled chicken, shrimps or simply fried meat with some onion, pepper or carrot. The choice of the filling is yours.  Have fun by putting a variety of meats and other fillings and watch the surprise on the face of your guests as they discover different fillings.
Enjoy!

Recipe for Plantain Balls 

1 semi ripe Plantain
1/2 ripe Plantain
Dry Pepper to taste
Chicken seasoning to taste
1/2 teaspoon dry Ginger powder
1 fresh Pepper cut in tiny pieces( optional) for filling
Meats for filling
Few chopped a onion for filling
Small Carrot  slices for filling( optional)
Oil for frying

Method
1, Boil the plantains till soft.
2, Pound the plantain with dry pepper, ginger powder, seasoning cube and a little salt. Pound till smooth for about 2 minutes
3, Cut previously cooked and fried meats , onion and fresh pepper into tiny bits. You may want to toss the meat in pepper sauce.
4, Take a piece of the pounded plantain at a time, flatten with your fingers and place the meat , onion, pepper and carrot in the plantain. Fold to cover the meat and other ingredients. Roll the plantain into nice smooth balls
5,Heat  the oil until hot and fry the plantain balls till brown.
6, Serve hot on its own or with pepper sauce if desired.