Vazhakkai Varuval | Plantain roast

I can't tell you all how much happy I was when I found this variety of Hawaiian plantains, recently in a grocery store. It almost resembled the one we get in my native.This takes me down the memory lane.

The best part of being from Southern most part of India is that you get to live close to nature.Lots of water resources makes plenty of choices for cultivation. Plantain trees are very common in agricultural farms. Almost every house will have plantain trees in their backyard as every part of this plant is used widely in cooking.We had few such plants in our backyard too. I have relished variety of dishes prepared by mom.

Now coming back to this recipe, this is a very simple one and goes well with vatha kuzhambu, rasam or mor kuzhambu.

Ingredients

Plantain / vazhakkai (big)..........................1
Kashmiri Red chilli powder ..................... 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ...................................  1/2 tsp
Asafoetida / Hing .................................. 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder ............................... 1/4 tsp (optional)
Amchur / Dry mango powder................. 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala ...................................... 1 big pinch
Salt ......................................................... to taste
Oil ......................................................... 2 to 3 tsp
Mustard seeds ....................................... 1/2 tsp
Urad dal ................................................. 1/2 tsp
Channa dal .............................................. 1/2 tsp
Garlic ..................................................... 3cloves,minced
Curry leaves ........................................... few
Ginger ................................................... 1/4 tsp , finely grated

Method

 

• Peel the skin and thinly slice the plantain discs.
• In a wide bowl, add 2 tsp oil and red chilli powder,turmeric,salt,hing,coriander powder, Garam masala and amchur.
• Mean while, heat remaining oil in a wide shallow pan.
• Add mustard seeds , once it crackles add urad and channa dal and fry until golden,add garlic and ginger and saute until garlic turns golden.Then add the curry leaves.
• Now add the plantains and cook uncovered in simmer .
• Use a spatula and flip the plantains when you see a golden crust on one side.
• Cook the other side too the same way.

Enjoy with steamed rice with rasam , morkulambu or vatha kulambu.

This is how I enjoyed :)