Vazhakkai/Raw Plaintain Podimas

Vazhakkai podimas is a super-easy, tasty and healthy recipe that is a wonderful accompaniment to any spicy sambhar or kuzhambu.This is a staple at my house and I make this very often. My husband and daughter both love his curry for its simple taste and yummy flavor. With coconut, tanginess from lemon juice and a little spiciness from the red and green chilles, this is a non-oily and healthy side-dish. Next time you make any kuzhambu, sambar or even chapatti, try this recipe. This is my MIL recipe. I am not a big fan of Vazhakkai but when I tasted this podimas I started liking and enjoyed it. It tastes delicious with sambar sadam or you could try simply with hot rice & ghee which tastes excellent.

Prep time            :20 mins             Cook time           :15 mins                 Serves             :2
Cuisine: South Indian

Ingredients	Quantity
Raw(green) banana	1
Onion	1 medium
Red chilli	3 no’s
Turmeric powder	¼ tsp.
Coconut	2 tbsp.
Cilantro	¼ cup
Lemon juice	2 tsp.

 To temper

Oil	2 tsp.
Mustard seeds	¼ tsp.
Jeera seeds	¼ tsp.
Channa dal	¼ tsp.
Hing	pinch
Urad dal	¼  tsp.
Chopped ginger	1 tsp.
Salt	To taste
Curry leaves	1 sprig

 Method

1. Cut the raw banana into two halves (with the skin) and cook for 10 min in a small cup of water. When the banana is half-cooked, remove from stove and peel the skin of the bananas. The banana should still be thick and not soft and pasty. If it’s too soft to grate then it has cooked too much. Grate the bananas and keep aside. 2.Take a saucepan and add 2 tsp. of oil. Add mustard seeds when oil is hot and once it splutters, add channa dal, red chilles, green chilles.Now add the onions sauté until it turns transparent. Add the turmeric powder and the grated raw banana and cook covered on low flame for couple of minutes.  3.Add little asafodita and the grated coconut and cook again for just a few minutes.Finally add salt for taste and mix well and remove from flame. 4.Turn off the stove and squeeze some lemon juice and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves’Yummy Vazhakkai podimas is ready to serve.

Notes

Do not over boil the raw banana.

If you feel the grated Plantain is too dry then you can sprinkle some water while cooking.

Finally, even can add few drops of lemon juice for tangy taste.

Linking this to the event "Eat Vegetables Stay Healthy" sponsored by Just Eat.