Aratikaya nuvvupodi kura (Plantain/green banana subzi with sesame powder topping)

Raw green bananas or plantains are commonly grown in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago (modern Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines) and Northern Australia. They are staple food in these regions. Green bananas have a neutral flavor and texture when the unripe fruit is cooked by steaming, boiling or frying.

An average plantain has about 220 calories and is a good source of potassium and dietary fiber.

Green bananas like their yellow counterpart, are a storehouse of health benefits. A variety of recipes using the green bananas are there. Green bananas are very commonly used in treating diarrhea. They are a popular diabetic diet.

                 

Ingredients:

•      2 plantains (raw bananas)
•      1/2 Tsp. turmeric powder
•      2 Tsp. tamarind paste
•      Salt to taste
•      A few curry leaves

Seasoning:

•      2 Tsp. sesame seeds
•      2 Tsp. dhania seeds (coriander)
•      2 Tsp. chana dal
•      1/2 Tsp, hing (asafetida)
•      2  red chiles
•      1 Tsp. mustard seeds
•      1 Tsp. jeera seeds
•      3 Tsp. oil

Directions:

1.     Wash and peel bananas. (Apply a spoon of oil to your palms, before peeling or dicing bananas).
2.      Dice them in to medium size cubes.
3.      Heat a thick pan.
4.      Add sesame seeds and roast without adding oil.
5.      After roasting for 2 or 3 minutes, add hing.
6.      Turn the heat off.
7.      Transfer to a plate.
8.      Similarly, roast chana dal and coriander seeds and transfer to the plate.
9.      Grind the roasted seeds in to a coarse powder.
10.      Add the banana pieces, turmeric powder and tamarind paste to boiling water.
11.      When the pieces are cooked and soft to touch, remove from heat and strain.
12.      Set aside.
13.      Heat oil in a thick pan. 
14.      Add red chiles, mustard seeds and jeera.
15.      When mustard seeds crackle, add hing.
16.      Add curry leaves.
17.      After cooking for a minute, add the cooked banana pieces.
18.      Add salt and stir well.
19.      Add the ground powder. 
20.      Mix well.
21.      Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
22.      Transfer to serving dish and garnish.