Puttu (lightly spiced plantain)

When I told my sister that I was going to include the recipe for puttu on this site, she remarked that what our family call puttu isn't really puttu as puttu is a steamed rice and coconut dish. This wouldn't have been the first time that our family has its own peculiar name for a dish. However, I did some research and in addition to the puttu made from rice and coconut, there is also another dish called puttu made from green plantain. This is my mother's puttu recipe.

Plantains (or bundi/boondi as they are called in Fiji) are very similar to bananas, but are thicker and slightly bigger. Like green bananas, they also make nice chips.

Ingredients

• • 2 green plantains

  • 1-2 tbsp oil

  • 3/4 tsp cumin seeds

  • 2-3 cloves garlic

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 75g grated coconut

  • Fresh chilli (optional)

  • Salt to taste

Method

• 1. Cut the plantains in half and boil until just cooked - about 10-12 minutes.

  2. Peel when cool enough to handle and grate.

  3. Grind garlic and cumin seeds.

  4. Heat oil. Add the onions, garlic and cumin paste, salt and chilli and fry for a couple of minutes.

  5. Add the grated plantain and coconut. Stir gently until all the ingredients are well combined.