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Steamed Nendran banana mash
6m+ · Kerala's ripe Nendran plantain steamed whole, cored and mashed to a smooth, sweet purée
Nendran is the long, golden plantain of Kerala, sold in hands at every market from Palakkad to Thiruvananthapuram, and a steamed ripe Nendran is one of the first fruits a Malayali baby tastes. Raw, it is too firm and starchy for a six-month-old, so it is steamed in its skin until the flesh turns soft and orange-gold, the dark string of seeds in the centre is pulled out, and the rest is mashed smooth. It is naturally sweet, so nothing is added: no sugar, jaggery, honey or salt. It is free of the major allergens. Chef's tip: wait until the skin is fully yellow with black freckles; a green Nendran stays chalky however long you steam it.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Baby & toddler safety
- Age: from 6 months+.
- Allergens: none of the common allergens found in the ingredients. Offer one new allergen at a time, in the morning, so you can watch for a reaction.
- Texture and choking: purée or mash smoothly for 6–9 months, then soft, finger-sized pieces that squash between your fingers. Cut round foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters lengthways, never give whole nuts, and always stay with your child while they eat.
- Under 1: no honey, no added salt or stock cubes, and no added sugar.
Every child is different. If you are unsure, especially about allergies, check with your health visitor or paediatrician.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe Nendran bananayellow with black spots, about 200 g
- 2 cups waterfor steaming, plus 1–2 tbsp boiled water to thin
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Wash 1 ripe Nendran banana and cut it in half across, leaving the skin on.
1 minStep 2: Bring 2 cups water to the boil in a steamer pan, lay the banana pieces in the basket, cover and steam over a medium heat for 10–12 minutes, until the skin splits and darkens and a knife slides into the flesh with no resistance.
12 minStep 3: Lift out, cool for a few minutes, then peel. Slice each piece lengthwise and pull out the dark seedy strand running through the centre. Common mistake: leaving that strand in; it is hard and stringy and spoils a smooth purée.
2 minStep 4: Mash with a fork, then press through a sieve or blend until completely smooth, adding a spoonful of the steaming water or your baby's usual milk to loosen. Serve lukewarm.
Step 5: Cool leftovers fast, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze in ice-cube portions for up to 1 month. Reheat once only until piping hot right through, then cool to lukewarm before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 100 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does steamed Nendran banana mash take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 3 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ripe nendran banana?
- Mango, same weight (in smoothies and shakes).
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