Vaazha koombu Thoran (Banana Flower Stir)

Tags : Kerala Style

The banana flower/ Vaazha koombu/ Kodappan is the flower of the banana tree. If you open the inside of the flower stalk & you can see small flowers that would turn into banana.

Image : Google courtesy

Ingredients

Vaazha koombu ( vaazha poovu/ kodappan/Banana flower) – 1

Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp

Sambar powder/ red chilly powder – 3/4 tsp

Roasted Chana dal (kadala parippu) – 1 tbsp

Grated coconut -1/2 cup

Garlic – 3 -4 cloves

Cumin (Nalla jeerakam)- 1/2 tsp

Green chillies- 1-2

Curry leaves – few

Mustard – 1/4 tsp

Small onion chopped – 6-8

Dry red chilly – 2

Method:

Remove couple of dull petals of vaazha koombu, remove the florets till you see soft and light colored edible part inside.

Firstly greese your fingers well with some oil not to get stain over your fingers . Now finely chop the vaazha koombu and soak in warm water for 15 minutes along with salt (to remove bitter taste) . Drain and the squeeze the excess water. (here i got dark colored vaazha koombu, light koombu gives nice and light colored vaazha koombu)

Dry roast chana dal (kadala parippu). keep it aside.

Crush together coconut, garlic, roasted chana dal (parippu) , green chillies, jeera, few curry leaves. Keep it aside.

Heat a pan with some oil, splutter mustard, saute small onion until soft and light colour, saute dry chilly, curry leaves, then add drained vaazha koombu , turmeric powder, sambar powder on medium heat cook for 5 minutes/ until it cooks well . adjust salt, now add the crushed coconut mix .

Cover and cook well. check the salt. Remove the lid and stir well. Switch off the flame.