Vazhaapindi or Banana Stem Kootaan is a traditional styled vegetarian side dish, very popular in South Indian homes that go well with hot rice. Vazhapindi is cooked with toor dal and other spicy ingredients. The tender part of the Banana Stem is used for Vazhapindi Kootaan preparation. The dish is a combo of very rich nutrients like potassium and other vital nutrients required for body. The dish is very easy to prepare. You can explore a well detailed Vazhapindi Kootaan recipe here.
250GmsCleaned and cut pieces of VazhapindiApprox., inner portion of Plantain Stem
1cupThuvara ParippuRedgram Dhall
3TspTurmeric Powder
1TspMustard Seeds
SaltTo taste
2TspRed Chilli Powder
Ground coconut along with Cumin seeds and water
5NosCurry leaves
5NosRed Chilli pieces
3TspCoconut/Refined Oil
Instructions
For preparing Vazhapindi Koottaan, wash the Vazhapindi pieces and Thuvara parippu and change them into a cooking vessel/pressure cooker. Add Red Chilli powder, Turmeric powder and Salt also.
Add required quantity of water also over the Pressure cooker/cooking vessel and cook the Vaazhappindi pieces and Thuvara parippu (if it is cooked in the Pressure cooker, it will take about 10 minutes).
When the Vazhapindi pieces and Thuvara parippu are cooked well, put off the stove and after some time, add the ground Coconut into this cooked mix.
Heat Oil in a Frying pan/Cheenachatty, fry mustard seeds, curry leaves and Red Chilli pieces in this Oil and add it into the cooked Koottan and stir it well.
Vaazhappindi Koottaan is ready. This Koottaan will be very tasty to eat with Poori/Chappathi/Cooked rice etc.