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VazhaChundu Payarum- Banana Flower Sabji

This one was introduced to me by my mother. I never thought we could make something from the banana flower. She used to make it with just coconut and some shallots mixed with the banana flower. But at my in laws place I got a different versions of this, in which they add the cooked green gram or the vanpayar to it. It does have a distinct flavour and well, like I always say what will go wrong in a dish when there is coconuts. Lets try out this traditional kerala dish.

Ingredients:
  • Banana Flower (Vazha Chundu) – 1
  • Green Gram – 3/4 cup
  • Grated Coconut – 1 cup
  • Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Green Chillies – 2 or 3
  • Garlic – 2 pods 
  • Shallots- 3 
  • Salt- to taste
For tempering
  • Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Shallots- 3
  • Garlic - 3 pods
  • Curry Leaves- a spring
  • Coconut Oil – 3 tbsp 
Method:
  1. Wash the green gram  and pressure cook it with water and a little salt for (Takes about 10 mins or until done)
  2. Drain these and keep aside 
  3. Wash the banana flower thoroughly. You need to discard a few of the outer layers of the flower. This is essential to make sure the dish is not bitter. I usually discard about 4 layers. 
  4. Chop the remaining banana flower into very small pieces. You can also grate the banana flower or pulse it in a food processor.
  5. Rub a tablespoon of oil on the chopped banana flower. 
  6. Keep it aside for 10-15 minutes. 
  7. Add the coconut, 2 garlic pods, Cumin seeds, Shallots, Green chili's, little salt and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and pulse it in a mixer
  8. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.
  9. Throw in the cut shallots, garlic, and curry leaves. Stir fry for a few minutes.
  10. Add the vazhachundu/banana flower and the coconut mixture to the pan. 
  11. Cover and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
  12. Add the cooked green gram and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until all water has evaporated and the dish is dry.

Note:
  • Always smear your hands with a little oil before handling the banana flower to avoid stains on your hands. 
  • You can make the banana flower without the  green gram also. Just follow the same recipe and avoid the green gram totally. 
  • Make sure the green gram is not cooked for a long time which will end up it being mushy
Do try this and let us know in comment section how it turned out for you. Follow us on Instagram for more updates. 




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