Arbi, Colocasia, or taro roots are quite popular in Indian cuisine. Most regional cuisines use them in one or another. Different types of curries using their leaves, roots, or sometimes both are quite interesting and they have an amazing taste as well. I love to make arbi once in a while and when I make them I usually try different curries like Khatti Arbi/Tangy Taro Roots , Dum Arbi /Colocasia Roots in Kashmiri Style Yoghurt Gravy. Served with white rice or saffron rice, these curries taste delectable. They are rich-looking gravies that don’t use many spices but still give an amazing-looking plate. But for now, let’s just focus on air-fried arbi kebab.
What Are Taro Roots or Arbi?
Arbi is the Hindi name for taro roots. They are starchy root vegetables that belong to the colocasia family. Generally, its roots and leaves are used in cooking. Mostly available in Asian/Indian markets, these roots come in all shapes and sizes. They are rich in vitamins a and c, and are a rich source of dietary fiber. Potassium and magnesium are other minerals found in abundance in these roots.
How to Make Arbi/Taro Root Kebab-
For making this kebab, boiling arbi is the first step. I boiled them in the Instant pot for 2 minutes and then manually released the pressure. Removing the thick, rough skin is important and boiling definitely helps in that. Mash them after removing the skin and mix some spices, fresh herbs, and gram flour. Since taro roots are sticky in texture, gram flour helps in binding them. We are air frying them and just spraying the oil so it’s quite important to have a good binding that doesn’t make them taste doughy. After that, air fry them at 400 F for 7-8 minutes. My kebabs were small so it took me less time. You can always make it more crispy or less crispy depending on your preference.
How to Serve Them-
Serve them with a salad and dip and they will be a great appetizer. Add a couple of flatbreads to give it the form of a main meal. They are versatile, filling, and serve as a great school or office lunch as well.
