Ethakka Puttu | Nendran Pazham Puttu | Ripe Plantain Puttu (Steamed Rice flour)

Puttu is one of malayali's family favorite and can't be matched with any other delicacies.God's own country has a wide varieties of puttu and all tastes delicious.Also,this is a healthy steamed breakfast item(that can be served as a snack too).Puttu and kadala curry is the age old tradition that still remains a inseparable combo.My kids love puttu,so I mix and match a few varieties which they love most.This is one such puttu that can be made and served quickly for after school snack.They love the combination of ripe plantains(ethakka) and puttu.I love making this as this is a steamed and oil free one,its better to feed kids homemade snacks whenever possible rather than the store brought packs.The plantains should be nicely ripened to make this puttu and you can serve this puttu just like that without any sides.The ingredient list is very short,try and make at home!!

Ingredients
ripe plantain 2
puttu podi  1 cup
grated coconut 1/2 cup
salt to taste

Method

• In a bowl,add the rice flour(puttu podi) and salt.Mix well and add water little by little and moisten the flour to get bread crumb like texture(Don't drench the flour in water,it may take a few minutes to get a lump free moistened flour.Check by pressing the flour in hands,if it gets together and forms a ball,then its ready to be steamed).Cover and leave to rest for 10 mins.
• In the mean time,boil water in a cooker with lid & without weight(in order to place the puttu mold,add adequate water in the cooker).
• Peel the skin and cut the ripe plantains in small quarter slices.Place in a plate.
• In the mold,add a tbsp of grated coconut followed by plantain slices and then top with the moistened rice flour.Again top it with a second layer of plantain slices and grated coconut,cover with lid.(If you are using the cylindrical mold,then you can add another layer of rice flour too,but here I used the cheratta puttu maker so there was no space in it).
• Place on cooker and steam cook for 5-7 mins or until the steam comes out of the tiny holes on top of the lid for 4-5 mins.Remove from cooker and invert on a plate and serve just like that !!

NOTES
* You should use well ripened plantains else it turns hard very soon after steaming.
* You can try this with some other fruits that can be steamed and your kids love too.
* I have used two plantains in this recipe,modify as per your likes.

RELATED POSTS( Varieties of Puttu and with Ripe Plantains)
*Traditional Puttu
* Barley Puttu
* Spinach-Carrot Puttu
* Ethakka Puffs
* Ela Ada with Ethakka filling
* Pazham Pori(Ethakka Appam)
* Kaya(Nendran pazham) Pola 
* Ethakka Cutlet