STEAMED BANANA - NENDHRA PAZHAM PUZHUNGIYATHU

      Steamed Bananas may not seem a common cooking technique in most of the Cuisines.  Steaming the Bananas brings out the astringent properties in them, makes them easily digestible and all the more it suits for a light and nourishing meal.  Not all bananas are suitable for the purpose.  Normally Nendhra Banana suits to be served as steamed bananas which are bigger in size with a thick and firm flesh compared to its counterparts.  It has a wonderful golden yellow colour with a sweet taste.
     Nendhra Banana/Nendra Pazham  is a variety of banana much bigger in size compared to other regular Bananas.  Raw Nendhra Bananas are used to make savouries like Banana Chips, Sharkkara Upperi and also used in variety of dishes like Kaalan, Mezhukkupuratti, Upperi, Pulissery, Koottukari etc., It is also used to make Pazha Pradhaman and Appams. Nendhra Bananas have a thick and firm flesh even when they ripe out which makes them suitable for Pazham Pori/Banana Fritters.  The sweet and firmness also makes them suitable for steamed Bananas whereas other varieties leach out liquid when cooked.
     Steamed Bananas/Nendhra Pazham Puzhingiyathu is a common dish served in Kerala, as a breakfast item or as a snack. It can be eaten as such which is quite filling and nutritious or can be served along with Puttu, Idiyappam, Vellayappam/Appam or with Rava Upma.  It is also served as one of the dish in the long list of dishes served in Onam Sadhya/Vishu Sadhya. We can find a similar recipe of Steamed Bananas in  the name of Pisang Rebus in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. They usually cook Pisang Tanduk along with few Pandan/Screwpine Leaves and would be served with freshly grated Coconuts mildly coated with Salt.
     Nendhra Bananas.Pisang Tanduk are packed with nutrients and they are loaded with Potassium and Vitamins.  They prevent Stomach Ulcers, prevent formation of Kidney Stones and also reduces High Blood pressure and stroke. Bananas help regulate blood glucose levels and gives energy.  Steaming them with their skin balances the overripe sweetness.  Steamed Banana is a perfect recipe for balanced and filling breakfast.
      Though there are various methods and recipes for Steamed Bananas, some boil the Bananas in Sugar/Jaggery syrup.  My MIL's mother serve these Steamed Bananas/Nendhra Pazham Puzhingiyathu cooked in Jaggery Syrup with a few cloves in it, along with Vellayappam.  Steaming the Bananas will retain their nutrients.  Can use a Steamer/Pressure cooker for the purpose, it can also be cooked in a Microwave.

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Cuisine - Kerala (India)

Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 2-3
Author - SM

Cooking Time - 10 -15 Minutes(In a Steamer/Pressure Cooker)
                           2-3 Minutes(In a Microwave)

                   HOW TO COOK STEAMED BANANA -                   NENDHRA PAZHAM PUZHUNGIYATHU

INGREDIENTS :

Nendhra Bananas/Pisang Tanduk - 2 Nos.
Water - For Steaming

METHOD :

• Wash and Cut the Nendhra Bananas into 2 or 3 pieces, depending on the size of the Banana.
• Leave the skin on.
• Can also keep Bananas whole, if doing so make 2-3 small slits over the skin.

COOKING STEAMED BANANA - NENDHRA PAZHAM PUZHUNGIYATHU

In a Steamer :

• Fill the Steamer/Pressure Cooker with 1-2 Cups of Water.
• Allow it to Boil.
• Place the cut Banana pieces in a steamer Basket/Tray.
• Cover the lid of the Steamer and steam the Bananas on a high flame for 5 minutes.
• Lower the flame and cook for another 5 -8 minutes, or until the Bananas turn soft.
• The skin would turn black and would start to split at places.
• Remove the Steamed Bananas for the steamer and allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes.
• Peel and serve, hot or cold.

In a Pressure Cooker :

• Fill the Pressure Cooker with 1–2 Cups of Water.
• Allow it to boil.
• Place the grid.
• Place the cut Banana pieces in a bowl or plate and place it over the grid.
• Cover the lid of the Pressure Cooker, there is no need of using the Pressure Regulator/Vent Weight.
• Steam the Bananas on a high flame for 5 minutes.
• Lower the flame and cook for another 5 -8 minutes, or until the Bananas turn soft.
• The skin would turn black and would start to split at places.
• Remove the Steamed Bananas for the steamer and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
• Peel and serve, hot or cold.

In a Microwave: Easiest & Quickest Method

• Cut the Bananas into 2–3 Pieces, make very small slits over the skin.
• Place the Bananas in a microwave safe bowl with a lid.
• Place a small microwave-safe coffee mug (filled halfway) with water over the lid.
• Microwave on high power for 2–3 minutes, depending on the size of the Banana.
• The skin would turn black and would start to split at places.
• Remove the Steamed Bananas for the steamer and allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes.
• Peel and serve, hot or cold.

NOTES :

• While cooking Bananas in a Microwave, make small slits over the skin.  This is to ensure it is evenly cooked through.
• I feel open cooked Bananas tend to become dry, once cooked.
• I usually cook Bananas in a microwave safe bowl and keep it covered with a lid.
• Keeping a little bit of Water in a Coffee mug over the lid retains the moistness in steamed Bananas.
• They taste quite similar to the ones cooked in a steamer.

Serving Suggestions :

• Can serve it along with a drizzle of Sugar/Jaggery syrup.
• Can cook the Sugar/Jaggery Syrup with few pods of Cardamoms/Cloves.
• Or simply served Steamed Bananas with freshly grated Coconut.
• Can serve it with few spoons of Sugar.
• Can also serve with a drizzle of melted ghee. 

AS BABY FOOD : 

• It can also be given as a baby food for babies of 6 months and above
• While feeding it to the babies, remove the black seeds in the centre
• Add a few teaspoons of GHEE to the Steamed Bananas.
• Add Sugar/Jaggery Syrup (Optional)
• Mash them finely without any lumps before feeding it to the Babies.
• Steamed Nendhra Bananas/Pisang Tanduk are quite nutritious and also easily digestible.