Micro Waved Nendrabale Kele/Banana.

“Micro Waved Nendrabale Kele/Banana” … A delicious cooked banana served for bf. along with other snacks that is famous in Konkani Saraswat Community ... Enjoy them steaming hot ... Yumz ....

** These simple steamed Nendrabale Kele / Bananas are a delight to relish upon for bf and is famous among Konkani Saraswat / GSB Community. These Bananas are extensively found in Southern parts of India, specially the Kerala State side, though they are now available all round the globe. For south Indians this banana does not need any intro specially Amchies as we relish them prepared in varieties of dishes. They are prepared the most as bajo/bajias and halwa and Kele halvo prepared using this bananas is world famous and in Mangalore it is the pride of the city dish. There are many more dishes like wafers prepared when they are in raw state which is another famous snack and then there are banana fritters again a snack served which children love the most. In all this is a very versatile banana that can be prepared in many ways and relished but should not be eaten as it is as they are difficult to digest if not cooked.

** Nendrabale Kele is a foot long sized thick banana that is by and large grown in southern parts of India. The same is used both in raw and ripe form in various dishes. We Amchies / Konkani Saraswats are a huge fans of this one and use it extensively in our cuisine. Both curries, upkari, fries and sweets etc. prepared using the same. Over ripe bananas are used in preparing a Halwa that is thick and cut into squares and is world wide famous for its unique taste and texture. Again chips / wafers are prepared using raw bananas of the same variety and are again famous throughout the world for the same. I can keep writing about the same and it will be a never ending saga. Ahha before I forget, this is one bananas that is cut into 2 inch pieces when just ripe and steam cooked and relished. Even young children are given the same as it is considered good for constipation. 

** I love using micro wave a lot and it is sort of my best buddy in kitchen. Here is a easy and fast method of cooking these Nendrabale Kele/bananas. Wipe the banana clean and slice of the edge portions. Now cut them horizontally in 5-6 pieces depending upon the size/length of the banana. The pieces should be about 1.5 inches in height. Place them on a microwave glassware plate maintaining a little bit distance from each other. Sprinkle just a little bit of water and put it in microwave machine and microwave for 2 minutes on high. Leave it for a few minutes and it is ready. If you find it not done microwave again for 30 seconds and it will be done.

** “Micro Waved Nendrabale Kele/Banana” are done and ready to be served. Remove and serve them steaming hot along with other snacks during breakfast or for tiffin in the evening. We always serve this during breakfast with upma, usli, pova chutney etc. as they go well as accompaniments to these dishes. Do try this out and relish them if Nendrabale Kele / Bananas are available in your vicinity. Nowadays they are almost available everywhere. 

** Note : The bananas should be steamed/microwaved with the skin on. So do not peel of the skin. Again serve them too with the skin on and it should be peeled off only when you want to eat it. 

** Note : You can steam these bananas also, the traditional way that my Mother and previous generations used to do. Just put them in a bowl and place it in a Idly steamer / pedavana and steam for about 12-15 minutes depending again on the bananas. I use microwave method as they are faster and done in 2-3 minutes. You may choose any method you want to prepare them with.

** Note : Do not steam them and then store in fridge or so for more than 2 hours. Many do so, and you may if it is inevitable but the taste lies in relishing them steaming hot just done and the taste somehow I find gets lost when left aside for hours. They somehow start smelling different after 3-4 hours of steaming, so my suggestion is always to have them steaming hot right out of the oven.