How to Cook a Banana Stem Curry Without Fuss

Don't be intimidated by the inscrutable local vegetables. Recall family recipes to decode them.

QUEEN’S ROAD:  I was shopping for vegetables the other day when banana stems and flowers caught my attention. I remembered my grandma telling me that almost all parts of the banana plant can be used. For instance, the leaves are used to eat meals in and sometimes as ‘foils’ to cook or steam food in. The flower, stem and the fruit are edible and can be cooked.

So  I called my grandma and my first question to her was just how do I know which stem to buy? I am sharing some of her tips with you.

H

ow to select and clean a banana stem

• When selecting a banana stem, choose the one with a big inner circle. The layers are peeled off before cooking and only the inner circle is used for cooking. So the bigger the circle, the more you get to eat.
• After peeling off all the layers, chop the stem in circular slices. As you slice, you will see a thread like thing on the knife and the sliced portions. Carefully wipe it off with your fingers.
• Once all slices are cut, chop them finely and put the chopped bits into water that has turmeric and a few spoons of curd.
• This will prevent the stems from turning black. Then take a whisk or a straw and move it in a circular motion inside the vessel containing the chopped banana stem.
• This will remove any threads and will also help you separate the finely chopped stems if they are stuck to each other.

Ingredients

• Banana stem 1 cup (finely chopped), green gram / red lobia 1/2 cup (soaked)
• Onion 1 (finely chopped)
• Turmeric 1/2tsp
• Red chilli powder 1 tsp
• Grated coconut 1/2 cup
• Green chillies 4
• Garlic cloves 2-4
• Curry leaves
• Mustard seeds 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
• Dry red chilli 2
• Oil 2 tbsp

Pressure cook green gram or red lobia till soft. If it has been soaked overnight, three whistles should be enough. Add salt while cooking. Heat oil in a pan, sizzle mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When done, add dry red chilli, stir for a few seconds then add finely chopped onions. When the onion turns translucent, add the chopped banana stem, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and mix well. Pour some water, cover and cook for 5 minutes.

If you have water left from cooking the green gram or red lobia then you can use that too. Crush coconut with  green chillies and garlic cloves. Once the banana stem is cooked, add the cooked green gram or red lobia, mix well. Add the crushed grated coconut mixture, mix well, cook for two minutes and switch off.