Vazhakai Podimas - Raw Banana Curry

 

I am not fond of this veggie at all.  But whenever I look the other way, two bananas mysteriously :-) appear in the shopping cart.  And so I keep thinking of different ways of making it.  I have made Podimas before, but in  different manner and it was just about edible.  And when I saw this recipe at Jeyashri's Kitchen I thought I should try it.  I made it with just one variation.

Raw Green Banana - 2 nos
Coconut - 2- 3 tbsp
Red chilies - 3 nos
Tuvar dal (Red gram dal) - 2 tbsp
Oil for seasoning
Urad (Black gram dal) - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - generous pinch
Curry leaves - few
Salt to taste.

Cut the banana into four pieces.  Cook in pressure cooker with skin on in a container with a little water
Peel.  Chop into small pieces.  Or grate as in Jeyashri's version.

Roast in a little oil the tuvar dal and the red chilies.
Grind to a powder along with the coconut.

Take a wok.  Heat oil.
Add mustard allow to splutter
Then the curry leaves and the urad dal and asafoedtida.
When the dal is just beginning to brown add the chopped banana
Sauté a while and then add the ground powder.
Keep till it gets together and just gets a slight crisp brown exterior ( optional)
Serve

Good accompaniment for rice and hot rasam.