RAW BANANA CURRY

 RAW BANANA CURRY

Today's dish is made using Raw Bananas- which are also called Green Bananas. They are called "Kachcha Kela" in Hindi, "Balekayi" in Kannada, and  "Vazhakkai" in Tamil.

I frequently make dishes using raw/green bananas as they have numerous health benefits .

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes using green/raw bananas such as:-

•  Swadisht Vegetable Rolls, 
• Chettinad Vazhakkai Curry,
• Kele Koddel from our Konkani cuisine.

I have adapted this from Ambika Shetty's YouTube video for Raw Banana Curry. 

We enjoyed this yummy side dish with hot steamed rice. 

Ingredients:-

• Raw Bananas, 2
• Turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp
• Tamarind Juice, 2 tbsp
• Jaggery, 1 tsp
• Hot Water, 1 cup 
• Salt, to taste

To Be Roasted and Ground To A Paste:- 

• Byadgi Red Chillies, 6
• Coriander Seeds, 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Methi Seeds, 10-15
• Urad Dal, 1 tbsp
• Oil, 1/2 tsp 
• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 1/3 cup (* Not to be roasted) 

For Seasoning :

• Mustard Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves, 8-10
• Oil, 1 tbsp

Method:-

Wash, peel and cube the raw bananas. Immerse them in water to avoid discolouration

Heat 1/2 tsp of oil in a kadhai and roast the Byadgi Red Chillies till they become crisp. Keep aside

In the same kadhai, roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, methi seeds and urad dal on medium heat till the dal changes colour. Remove from flame and allow it to cool

In a mixer jar, grind together these roasted ingredients ( Byadgi red chillies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, methi seeds and urad dal ), along with 1/3 cup of coconut gratings to a smooth paste adding just the required amount of water. Keep aside

Heat 1 tbsp oil in the kadhai and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the curry leaves and saute 

To this add the raw banana cubes and fry for about 2 minutes 

Next, cover and cook on low flame for 1 minute

Now add the turmeric powder, salt to taste, tamarind juice, grated jaggery and 1 cup of hot water

Mix well and let it cook for 2 minutes

Add the freshly prepared/ ground masala and required amount of water to get a gravy like consistency

Check for salt and add if required

Cover and cook on low/medium flame for 5 minutes so that the raw bananas get well blended with the masala

Switch off the gas and transfer to a serving bowl

Serve as accompaniment for hot steamed rice