"Thaikile Ambado" - A Konkani rainy season snack

"Thaikile Ambado" is a very popular evening snack in the monsoons, especially in Mangalore and surrounding areas.
"Thaikilo" is an edible leafy weed, found in the garden in most homes in the coastal belt.
The leaves have a nice aroma and the dishes made from these are loved by all konkani people.
Here in Bangalore, they are sold in the so called "Mangalore stores".
They are available only in monsoons, and in Bangalore its sold only in June/July in these stores.
So my making these "Vadas" or "Ambado" as we call them in Konkani, is also quite rare, sometimes just once during the rainy season.

Makes 10-15
Ingredients:
Thaikilo leaves - 2 cups
Fried urad dal powder - 1/2 cup
Rice flour - 1 tbsp
Asafoetida/hing - 1 pinch
Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method:
Wash the thaikilo leaves well, and chop them finely.
Take a large bowl, add the fried urad dal powder , rice flour, asafoetida, red chilly powder and salt and mix well. Now add just enough water in order to make a thick paste/batter.
Then add the chopped thaikilo leaves, and mix well.
Divide into 10-15 equal portions/balls, lightly flatten them using your hand, and deep fry in hot oil until golden.
Serve hot with "Tea" or "Coffee".