Nenthra Kaya & Pazham Recipes

Nenthra Kaya as is known in Malayalam, is the raw green plantain. Good source of fibre, potassium, vitamin C, contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium.
The raw plantain is cooked as a vegetable, which is very nutritious. Here is a simple recipe.

Nenthra Kaya Mezhukkupuratti / Upperi - Raw Plantain fry

Ingredients

3 - Raw plantain, cut into 3 parts & chop lengthwise with skin
5 - Green chili, slit in center
1/2 tsp - Turmeric powder
Curry leaves
3 tbsp - Coconut oil
1 cup - water
Salt

Method

1 ) In a pan pour water,add the chopped plantains,turmeric powder,green chili,curry leaves and salt. Cook till plantains are well cooked and all the water is absorbed.
2 ) Add coconut oil and stir.
Serve as a side dish.

When the plantains becomes ripe, then sweet treats can be made of it. Here is a popular snack recipe.

Pazham Pori - Ripe Plantain Fritters

Ingredients

4 - Ripe plantains
1 cup - maida / all purpose flour
1/4 cup - rice flour
3 tbsp - sugar
a pinch of turmeric powder or saffron if you have some
a pinch of salt
oil to fry

Method

1) Peel the skin off the ripe plantain and cut into two parts. Then cut each part into 3- 4 slices,lengthwise.
2 )Mix maida, rice powder(to make it crispy) sugar, turmeric powder and salt. Make a thick batter.
3) Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Dip the sliced plantains in the batter and deep fry till golden brown in colour.

Serve with evening tea.......Its a very popular snack in kerala.