I love vazhakkai (Raw banana / Plantain) very much. Mostly it is cooked in every household on the Amavasya (New Moon) day, as a part of the lunch to give thidhi (offering) to the family members who passed away. The recipes prepared on that day are not supposed to have both onion and garlic as many fast (vrat) on that particular day. Likewise this vazhakkai podimas is also no onion no garlic recipe making it a perfect vrat recipe.

Recently when I went to my In-Laws place to celebrate Diwali, I returned with a big bunch of Vazhakkai. They were grown organically in the backyard without using any pesticides or chemicals and they were so yummy as well when cooked. I made homemade Vazhakkai chips, as the boys love it very much and some finger licking Chettinad Vazhakkai Kurma and still have some left.

Vazhakkai Podimas Recipe

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Ingredients:

• Vazhakkai (Raw Green banana/Plantain) – 2
• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Whole dry red chilies – 2
• Green chilies – 2
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig
• Fresh grated coconut – 4 tbsp
• Lemon juice – 1/2 tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Oil – 2 tsp

Instructions:

1. Place whole vazhakkai with the skin in a pressure cooker and 1/2 cup water and pressure cook for 1 whistle. It would have a parboiled by now.
2. Once it cools down, make a slit with a knife from top to bottom and open the the skin like you would open a book and peel away the skin of the vazhakkai.
3. Grate the parboiled plantain using a big holed grater and keep it aside.
4. Heat a pan with oil. Add mustard seeds and once it splutter, add urad dal and roast till golden brown. Now add broken whole dry red chilies and finely chopped green chilies and saute for a few seconds.
5. Now add grated vazhakkai, turmeric powder, salt, curry leaves & grated coconut.
6. Mix well and close the pan with a lid and cook for 3-4 mins over low flame. Take off fire. Add the lemon juice, once again mix well and serve hot with rice as an accompaniment.