Vazhakai Poriyal

Vazhakai is raw plantain or banana. A poriyal (dry curry) or Podimas (dry curry made with mashed plantain) made from this is one of the staples at any wedding lunch. It is a very simple dishto make but somehow I have never made it. This was my first attempt and a made up recipe remembering the taste from years ago.

Raw banana: 2

Mustard seeds, urad dal, jeera: 1/2 tsp each (i add more urad dal for extra crunch)

Curry leaves

Sambar powder: 1 tsp or according to spice level

Peel and slit the banana lebgthwise into two. Then slice into 1/2 cm thich slices.

Boil in salted water until soft or pressure cook. I add some turmeric powder in the water too, but this is optional. (I think pressure cooking for 1-2 whistles should be suffecient, I did for 3 whistles, and it became a but mushy. would have been perfect for podimas. But i liked the end result a lot)

Heat some oil and add the rest of the ingredients. When they splutter, add the dry banana and sambar powder. Fry for about 5 minutes, stirring occationally and gently. Serve as a side with rice and sambar.