Green/Raw Banana Stir Fry / Vazhyakai Curry

 Green/Raw Banana Stir fry or Vazhyakai curry

Green/Raw Banana Stir fry or Vazhyakai curry is a South Indian preparation. In authentic South Indian meals one stir fry and one vegetable stew is a must. Almost all houses in South India has a Banana and Coconut tree in their compound, naturally vazhyakai curry is made almost daily. Including raw banana in meals has its own set of benefits; even diabetic people who are asked to avoid having banana fruit can have raw bananas.

Recipe

Yields : 4-5 serving

prep time : 15 minutes to marinate

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Tools needes: Sauce Pan, Wok.

INGREDIENTS 

1. Large Raw/Green Bananas 5 nos. 

2. Tamarind 1 inch piece. 

3. Coconut Oil 2-3 Tbsp. 

4. Mustard seeds ¼ tsp. 

5. Cumin Seeds ¼ tsp. 

6. Pinch of Asafoetida. 

7. Salt as per taste. 

8. Sugar 1 tsp. 

9. Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp. 

10. Red Chilli Powder  1 tsp. 

11. Cumin Powder  1 tsp.

METHOD

1.     Soak Tamarind in 2 tbsp of hot water. 

2. Wash and peel bananas. 

3. Slit from the middle and slice them ¼ inch thick. 

4. Add chopped banana pieces to a mixing bowl. 

5. Add Salt, sugar, turmeric, red chilli and cumin powder. 

6. Mash the soaked tamarind and squeeze out the pulp, add this to the bowl with vegetable. 

7. Mix everything together and marinate for 15 minutes. 

8. Place a wide kadai on gas on medium heat. Put oil.  Once oil is hot add mustard and cumin seeds and let it splutter, put asafoetida. 

9. Now add the marinating bananas to the oil. Mix thoroughly so all the banana pieces get coated in oil. 

10. Cover and cook on low to medium flame. Keep checking and stirring in every 2 minutes. Drizzle drops of oil if needed. 11. Insert a knife and check if the banana pieces are soft and cooked. Remove the lid and let the vegetable fry a little to get crunchiness.

12. Remove in bowl, you can have this as a side dish with any meal.