Banana Flower Usili

Banana Flower (Vazhaipoo) is a very healthy vegetable which grown as a bunch on the banana tree. The Vazhaipoo is very significant in our South-Indian tradition, as in many tamilian household ceremonies and functions ; you will find the banana flower hung from the banana tree, in front of the house.

Health Benefits of Banana Flower:

1. Rich in Vitamin A and C.
2. A good lactating agent.
3. Significantly reduces the blood sugar levels, hence diabetic-friendly vegetable.
4. Have anti-oxidant properties.
5. Curbs excessive bleeding during menstrual cycle & considerably increases the   progesterone levels in the body.

The only setback with this vegetable is the way each floret in the banana flower is removed. The stamen portion (middle portion) of the banana stem has to be removed from each floret as it is not advisable to consume it.  The banana flower can be relished in numerous ways like curry, vadai, thovayal, Usili etc. This is the Usili version of the Banana flower.

Later, I shall post with pictures how to remove the banana flower florets and use it for cooking. I assume my viewers know how to do this.

Once the banana flowers are cut to small pieces, they have to be immersed in buttermilk water immediately to avoid discoloration.

Ingredients:

 

Banana Flower – 2 Cups, Chopped to small pieces

Toor Dhal – ½ Cup

Channa Dhal – 1/z Cup

Red Chillies – 6-7

For Seasoning: Mustard – ½ tsp, Broken urud dhal – ½ tsp, Chana dhal – ½ tsp, hing – ½ tsp, curry leaves – 12

Pre-requisite:

1. Soak Channa dhal and toor dhal for min 4-5 hours & drain the water and keep ready.

2. Soak the chopped Banana flower in Buttermilk water and keep ready. At the time of cooking, drain the buttermilk water and keep the chopped banana flower ready.

Preperation of Usili:

1. In a blender/mixie, add the soaked and drained Channa dhal and toor dhal along with red chillies & hing. Grind to coarse paste without adding or adding very little water. 

2. Transfer this coarse paste in a vessel and pressure cook it for 7-8 minutes (no need to add weight and wait for whistle) & switch off.

3. Open the pressure cooker, take the container out and wait for the cooked dhal to cool. Once it cools, cut them into big chunks and allow one or two run, so that they break to coarse fine pieces (no need to over grind – just 10 seconds enough) like a coarse powder.

Preperation of Banana Stem:

 

1. In a Kadai/heavy bottom vessel, add the chopped banana flowers and add little salt and ½ tumbler water and allow to cook for about 10 mins. Once the banana flower becomes tender and soft and all the water from it is drained, remove from stove and keep ready.
 

Preperation of Banana Stem Usili:

1. In a Kadai, add a teaspoon of oil and season as given. 

2. Add the Usili powder and salt and mix well. Since the usili is already cooked, needn’t cook for long, just cook for 2-3 minutes stirring in between.

3. Now add the cooked Banana flowers and mix well. Check for salt, if less add now. Let everything cook for 2 mins and then remove.

Banana Flower Usili is ready!!!