405: Vazhathandu Pachadi/ Banana Stem Raita

The banana tree is one of those few species where each part is used in some way or the other, be it the leaves which are used for eating food, the fruit which is eaten in the raw or ripe form, or the flower or stem which is also consumed.

The stem is cooked in various ways in South Indian cuisine Dishes such as vazhaithandu usli (dry cooked banana stem with lentils), vazhaithandu kootu (banana stem cooked with lentils), vazahaithandu poriyal (banana stem tempered and garnished with coconut) are popular in Tamil Nadu.

Health Benefits of Banana stems are:

• Helps detoxify the body
• Rich source of fiber and helps in weight loss.
• Vitamin B6 helps in production of hemoglobin and insulin.
• The Banana Stem juice also relieves ulcers, burning sensation and acidity.

 Yesterday my SIL Nalini gave me a tender banana stem to me .  Next day itself I made this vazhathandu pachadi and vazhathandu Thuvaran. Here the challenge is to prepare the vegetable for cooking! Cutting the banana stem  is a real task! And really time consuming. I prefer to keep it prepared  previously.

Ingredients:

 Banana Stem        -      6 inch

 Green Chilies                2 no.

Grated Ginger               1 Tbsp.

Thick Plain Curd             1 cup.

Salt                               to taste.

Coriander leaves            few

For Tadka

Oil                                ½ Tsp.

Mustard seeds               ½ Tsp.

Hing powder                  a pinch

Red chilies                     1 no.

  

Ingredients:

• Wash and discard the outer cover of banana stem and take the inner part only.
• Cut the stem into thin rounds and remove the excess thread. Then chop the round stems into small pieces and put it in buttermilk water.
• Drain the water. Steam the chopped  banana stem pieces in microwave for 3 minutes.
• Finely chop the green chilies. Put the cooked banana stem in a bowl and add salt, green chillies and grated ginger. Mix it well.
• Beat the curd  well and add it to the banana stem and mix it well.
• Heat the oil in kadai and add all seasonings and fry it for a minute and add to the banana stem pachadi. Let it soak  for 30 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve it cool with steam rice. Enjoy!