Banana Stem Kootu

Banana Stem (Vazhaithandhu) is one of the healthiest foods you can think for maintaining a good health. Banana Stem has so much of nutritive value that regular inclusion of this wonder stem is sure to keep us healthy in the long run. Banana stem is often not preferred due to the tedious task of cutting it. It is not that easy to cut the banana stem, it needs little practice. The stem discharge fibrous threads which have to be collected while cutting and this has to be done tactfully. Eating the fibrous thread sometimes causes stomach upset, hence better to remove it. Also banana stem once cut, should be immersed immediately into curd/yoghurt water, else it immediately discolors. But looking at the health benefits banana stem offers, we can bear the tedious cutting task and go ahead making it a staple diet in our menu.  Banana Stem is recommended for men having kidney stone problem, if the banana stem juice is consumed regularly it is said to wash out the kidney stones from the body. This Banana stem can be cooked in various ways. It can be made into a curry, stir fry, kootu, juice, salad etc...If consumed raw, it gives 100% nutritive benefits. I have given the kootu version of this banana stem here.

How to cut a Banana Stem:

1.       The outer skin of the banana stem has to be removed
2.       Cut the banana stem into circles
3.       Each circle , first cut lengthwise & breadth wise, making them into small cubes
4.       Immerse the cut cubes into yoghurt water to prevent discoloring

Benefits of Banana Stem:

1.       Very rich in dietary fibre , Potassium & Vitamin B6
2.       Helps in weight loss if consumed regularly
3.       Prevents/Cures Kidney stones problem
4.       It is diuretic and helps in detoxification of the body

Ingredients:

Banana Stem (Cut to small cubes & soaked in buttermilk water) – 1 Cup.

Toor Dhal – ½ Cup

Salt

Season: Oil – 2 tsp, Mustard – ¾ tsp, Broken Urud Dhal – ½ tsp, Channa Dhal – ½ tsp, jeera – ¼ tsp

Ground Paste:

1.       In 1 tsp of oil, fry whole urud Dhal – 2 tsp & Red chillies – 3.

2.       Cool the above and add ½ cup of grated coconut (no need to fry) + ½ tsp jeera and grind to fine paste.

 Pre-requisite:

1.       Strain the Banana stems cubes soaked in buttermilk water, wash it once and in a pan add 1 – 1 ½ tumbler water and boil it with little salt and turmeric powder.Once well cooked, strain the water and keep the cooked banana stems ready.

 2.       Pressure cook toor dhal for 3-4 whistles. After cooling, open and mash well and keep ready.

Method:

 

1.       In a pan, season as given, add the cooked banana stems & mix well.
2.       Add the cooked toor dhal and mix well & add required salt.

3.       Add the ground paste and mix everything well and allow boil for just 2-3 mins.

4.       Pour 1 tsp of coconut oil (this is optional) on the above and mix once and switch off.

 Very healthy and fibrous Banana Stem Kootu is ready!!!