Vazhaipoo poriyal is a tasty and healthy side dish for simple south Indian rice varieties. It goes well with sambar rice, rasam rice, and Kara kozhambu. Cleaning vazhaipoo is a time-consuming job but it has huge health benefits. I used to clean vazhaipoo in my leisure time. Apart from poriyal, we can also make vazhaipoo vadai and vazhaipoo paruppu usili.
How to clean Banana blossom/Vazhaipoo
- Remove the tough husks on the outside of the flower.
- You can see the yellow/purple/dark purple florets inside.
- Keep peeling, until you reach a small yellowish heart kind of blossom.
- Collect the florets, pluck the pistil inside the florets (tough and not to be consumed) and discard them.
Ingredients
- Banana blossom – 1
- Onion – 1
- Oil – 1 tsp
- Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
- Urad dal – ½ tsp
- Buttermilk – 3 tsp
- Curry leaves – few
- Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- sambar powder – ½ tsp
- Salt as needed
- Grated Coconut – 2 tsp
Step by Step Pictures
Method
1. Clean and cut banana florets and cut into small pieces.
2. Add it in buttermilk water immediately to avoid browning and bitterness.
3. Meanwhile, in a pan boil 2 cups of water, add a pinch of salt and turmeric.
4. Squeeze buttermilk and add the banana blossom.
5. Cook covered for 10 to 12 minutes.
6. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, allow it to crackle and add urad dal, curry leaves.
7. Add the chopped onions and saute for a minute.
8. Strain water from the banana blossom and add it to the mixture.
9. Add salt, turmeric powder, and sambar powder.
10. Combine everything well.
11. Cook for a couple of minutes. Add the grated coconut, mix well and turn off the flame.
12. Serve hot with rice.
