VAZHAKKAI PODI CURRY

 VAZHAKKAI PODI CURRY

I make it a point to make dishes using raw/green bananas from time to time in my house. They can be used in a variety of dishes and have numerous health benefits.

Today's recipe is for a simple yet tasty side dish called "Vazhakkai Podi Curry"  which translates to Raw Banana Fry in Tamil. Raw/ Green Bananas are called Vazhakkai in Tamil, Baalekayi in Kannada, and "Kachcha Kela" in Hindi. 

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

• Chettinad Vazhakkai Curry 
• Raw /Green Banana Roast
• Raw Banana Curry 

Today's recipe of raw bananas has an interesting element to it. The flavour is derived from the aromatic spice powder used for making this dish by freshly roasting and grinding various spices. This spice powder  is called "Podi" in Tamil. I have adapted today's recipe from this YouTube video from Padhu's Kitchen. 

We enjoyed this dish with hot steamed rice and dal. 

Ingredients:-

• Raw Bananas, 2
• Mustard Seeds, 1 tsp
• Curry leaves, a few
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 2-3  tbsp

To roast and grind for Podi:

• Coriander Seeds, 2 tbsp
• Chana Dal, 2 tsp
• Whole Black Peppers, 1/2 tsp
• Dried Red Chillies, 3  (broken into halves)
• Oil, 1/2 tsp

Method:-

Wash the raw bananas and snip off the two ends. Peel them and cut into pieces and keep them immersed in water to avoid discolouration

In a thick bottomed kadhai, heat 1/2 tsp oil, and on medium heat roast the coriander seeds, chana dal, whole black peppers, and red chillies till the dal changes colour

Switch off the gas and allow it to cool

Transfer this to a small mixer jar and grind to a powder- this forms the spices Podi.

Heat oil in the thick bottomed kadhai, and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter, add the curry leaves and saute for a few seconds

To this, add the raw banana pieces, turmeric powder and cook covered on medium heat, 

Add salt to taste,  sprinkle a little water and once again cook covered stirring from time to time till the raw bananas are almost 

Now mix in the freshly prepared spices powder pods, mix well so that the bananas get evenly coated with the spices

Cover and cook till the raw bananas get fully done yet remain firm t

Switch off the gas and transfer to a serving bowl

Serve the Vazhakkai Podi Curry with rice or chapati