Sweet Banana Magic

Some memories smell like home. For me, one of them is the unmistakable scent of ripe nendram banana hitting hot oil in my Ammama's (Grandmother) kitchen.

She never made a big deal about it — no elaborate prep, no waiting around. Just a quick slice of a perfectly ripe banana, straight into the pan. No batter, no coating. The golden pieces would sizzle gently, softening at the edges and caramelising ever so slightly.

And then came the magic: a generous drizzle of ghee, followed by a sprinkle of sugar. That was it. Simple, soulful, and utterly delicious.

We’d sit together, my cousins and I, me with sticky fingers and a big grin, and her pretending she hadn’t just made the best snack in the world with almost no ingredients.

It wasn’t a festival dish or a showstopper. It was her way of saying, “You’re home now.” And in that moment, with the warm banana melting in my mouth, I always was.