Koba Akondro (Malagasy Banana and Peanut Steamed Cake)
Local name: Koba akondro
In short: Ground peanuts, ripe banana and rice flour steamed in banana leaf parcels into a dense, sliceable sweet cake. A Malagasy market snack. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 260 kcal
Koba akondro is a market snack across Madagascar: ground peanuts, ripe banana and rice flour are mixed into a thick batter, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until it sets into a dense, sliceable cake. It is eaten in thick slices, warm or cold, with tea or coffee. The peanuts give richness, while the ripe bananas and a little brown sugar sweeten it.
Instructions
- Grind the peanuts in a food processor to a fine, slightly oily meal, stopping before it turns into butter.
- Mix the ground peanuts, mashed bananas, rice flour, sugar and salt in a bowl to a thick, spoonable batter. Add water a spoonful at a time only if it is too stiff to mix.
- Soften the banana leaves by passing them over a flame or dipping them in hot water for a few seconds, then wipe dry.
- Spoon a quarter of the batter onto the center of each leaf and shape it into a flat rectangle about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. Fold the leaf over into a neat parcel and tie with string.
- Steam the parcels in a covered steamer over simmering water for 65 to 75 minutes, topping up the water as needed, until the cake is firm in the center.
- Cool the parcels for 20 minutes, unwrap and cut into thick slices. Serve warm or cold.
Tips
- Without banana leaves, wrap each portion in parchment and then foil. The cake tastes just as good but loses the faint leaf aroma.
- Keep wrapped koba in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm slices briefly in a dry pan to bring back the soft texture.
Questions and answers
How is this different from the other kind of koba?
There is a second koba made from ground peanuts and brown sugar in a sweet rice paste, boiled in leaves for a day or more. This banana version is the quick one, steamed in about an hour.
Can I use plantains instead of bananas?
Yes, as long as they are very ripe and black-skinned. Ripe plantains are less sweet, so add 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of sugar.
Is koba akondro vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, as written. It contains no dairy, eggs or wheat.
How long does it take to make Koba Akondro (Malagasy Banana and Peanut Steamed Cake)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Koba Akondro (Malagasy Banana and Peanut Steamed Cake)?
About 260 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
