Pazhappola (Plantain Cake)

This recipe should date back to when ovens and baking were not that common. I guess steaming would have been their option to make yummy cakes.

Plantains are very common in Malabar area and down there this is banana. In fact, I didn't know it was called plantain before I reached U.S. Anyways, boiled plantain are in itself is very flavorful and tasty.

Thanks Shamna for introducing me to this traditional dish.

Makes: 8 inch x 1 inch loaf
Spice level: --

Preparation time: 20 Min.
Cook time (incl. Prep. time): 1 Hr.

Ingredients:

1. Yellow Plantain - 2 (large ripe, peeled)
2. Egg - 4
3. Sugar - 3/4 cup
4. Cardamom - 4
5. Salt - a pinch
6. Cashew nuts - 10 (row, chopped)
7. Raisin - 10
8. Ghee - 5 Tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Cut the plantain into about 0.5 cm (not too thick or not too thin) circles and then quarter each disc into 4 pieces
2. In a medium size frying pan add 3 tbsp. ghee and roast the plantains until golden brown and set it aside. Let it cool.
3. Meanwhile, in the same frying pan add 1 tbsp. ghee and roast the cashews to golden brown. Add resins and sauté for a minute. Remove it the flame and let it cool.
4. Powder sugar and cardamom in a grinder or using a mortar
5. Lightly beat eggs with a pinch of salt using a beater for 30 sec
6. Add the powdered sugar-cardamom mix into the egg mix and beat for couple more minute until light and fluffy
7. Mix in fried plantain into the batter using a fork
8. Add fried cashews & raisins and mix lightly
9. Grease a non-stick sauce pan with ghee. Make sure to use a sauce pan with a closely fitting lid.
10. Pour the batter into the greased sauce pan and cook it on high flame for 30 secs.
11. Reduce the flame to the lowest (simmer) and cook it for about 40 mins. until the center of the crust gets firm and cooked
12. Remove from the flame and let it completely cool with the lid open for about 40 mins. Keeping the lid open is very important or else the water drops that might accumulate on the lid might drip.
13. Carefully flip the pan over onto a flat plate and it's ready to be served.