Steamed Banana | Ethapazam (Nenthra Pazham) Puzhungiyathu

Pazham Puzhungiyathuor Steamed Banana / Steamed Plantain is one of the common breakfast / snack in Kerala. It is even served as a side dish for Onam Sadhya and Vishu or as a side dish with rice puttu and upma. Also given to babies of 6 months and above for its high nutritional value.

Ethapazham, also known as Plantain in English, is a variety of banana easily found in Kerala. Apart from eating ripe, raw plantain is used for making curries and poriyal. Plantain is used for making snacks like Pazhampuri, banana chips and sweet like Pazham-payasam/ Banana kheer. In fact, this banana is the one used for making most of the dishes. Another name for plantain in Malayalam is Nenthrapazham.

In other states and cities, it might be hard to find these bananas. Unless, you know any Kerala shop or malls, which might surely keep it.

Consuming steamed plantain is one of the best treatment for diarrhoea or vomiting. I had a bad experience when my tot had diarrhoea and nothing worked so well. This steamed plantain worked magic. I would recommend you to steam rather than boiling as most of its nutrients will get dissolved in water, which you will be throwing it later.

This tastes YUM!! when served along with some freshly grated coconut.

How to make Steamed Plantain with step by step photos:

1. Fill 1 to 1.5 cups of water to the steamer pot. Keep the idli plate, followed by the bananas along with the skin. Close the lid.
* Cut both the ends of the banana. You can either keep it whole or cut it in half.