Nendra Banana Jamun Recipe/Kerala Nendra Jamun

Nendra Banana Jamun is a sweet, sugary Indian dessert made by soaking deep fried ripe Kerala bananas/plantains called Nendra Pazham in sugar syrup flavored with aromatic and exotic cardamom powder. It is a perfect snack you can serve with your evening chai or coffee.

“Pazham” is fruit in the south Indian languages Tamil and Malayalam and Nendra is a variety of banana found exclusively in Kerala (a state in south India). Traditionally, this type of banana is used to make the famous savory chips of Kerala using the unripe variety. Ripe bananas are used in making halwas (jelly like consistency Indian sweet), fritters and different desserts!!

Nendra bananas are not commonly available but when we do happen to find them in stores, I immediately get them to make one of our favorite desserts – Banana jamuns!!! Everybody knows the popular Indian dessert gulab jamun (milk based deep fried balls soaked in sugar syrup). Nendra or kela jamuns are an easier version using bananas instead.

Making them is so easy!! Just peel just ripe bananas, slice them into medium thick roundels or long slices, deep fry in ghee and soak in sugar syrup laced with cardamom powder and sometimes saffron strands!! Ghee is the perfect medium to deep fry if you want to get the authentic rich flavor of the banana but if you are averse to using ghee, you can use oil too (for a vegan option).

So the next time you are able to get hold of this exotic variety of banana, do try this quick, easy but scrumptious nendra banana jamun (ready in under 30 minutes!!) and treat your family and friends to a fruity dessert!!

Do check out the recipe here:

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Nendra Banana Jamun Recipe/Kerala Nendra Jamun

A sweet, sugary Indian dessert made by soaking deep fried ripe Kerala bananas/plantains called Nendra Pazham in sugar syrup flavored with aromatic and exotic cardamom powder. It is a perfect snack you can serve with your evening chai or coffee.

Ingredients

2 ripe Kerala or Nendra bananas
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup jaggery (unrefined cane sugar)
1 cup water
½ teaspoon cardamom powder
Ghee/clarified butter/oil for deep frying

Instructions

Take saucepan and add the sugars along with 1 cup water. Bring to boil, stirring till all the sugar is dissolved.
Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on medium low for about 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, turn off heat, add the cardamom powder, give it a good stir and keep aside.
Peel the bananas and chop into long medium sized pieces or round pieces if you prefer.
Heat the ghee for deep frying.
Once hot, deep fry all the banana pieces in batches, adding about 2 to 3 pieces at a time, till golden brown.
Remove and keep on paper towels to remove the excess ghee.
Soak the deep fried bananas in the sugar syrup for about 10 minutes.
Exotic banana jamuns are ready to be served (warm or at room temperature) to your family, friends or at any party.

Notes

Make sure the bananas are just ripe. Overripe bananas will collapse and turn mushy on deep frying.

If you prefer, use saffron strands in the syrup for extra flavor.

Ghee is the perfect medium to deep fry banana jamuns, but if you are health conscious, use oil. You can shallow fry them too but to enjoy the richness of this dessert, deep frying is the best.

If you are unable to get hold of this variety of banana, use regular ripe bananas (the long variety) and you can still enjoy this luscious dessert anytime!!!

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Step-by-step method:

Take a deep saucepan and add the sugars.

Stir in 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring till all the sugar is dissolved.

Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on medium low for about 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, turn off heat, add the cardamom powder, give it a good stir and keep aside.