Banana stem is known as vazhaithandu in Tamil. It’s a very humble and a healthy vegetable.

It has very less calories and high fibre content. It is diuretic and recommended for people who are suffering from kidney stones and gall bladder stones. It’s good for diabetic patients and it aids weight loss.

Ingredients

Chopped vazhaithandu – 2 cups
Moong dal ( green gram/ pasi paruppu)- 1/2 cup
Grated coconut – 1/2 cup
Oil – 1 tbsp
Mustard – 1 tsp
Split urad dal ( ullundhu)- 1 tsp
Red chillies – 2
Hing ( asafoetida/ perungayam) – 1/8th tsp

Method

Wash and soak moong dal for 15-20 mins.

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard. When it starts spluttering, add urad dal, red chillies and hing. Sauté for few seconds and add the vazhaithandu. Drain the moong dal and add it to the pan. Mix well. Add salt to taste and 1/2 cup of water. Reduce the flame, close the pan with a lid and cook till the vegetable and the dal becomes soft and dry.

Add grated coconut and sauté for few seconds.

Serve the curry with rice and rasam/ sambar:)

Note

How to cut Vazhaithandu ( banana stem)
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Before starting to cut the banana stem, mix little yogurt in a bowl of water or add salt to the water, mix and keep it ready.

Discard the thick outer skin of the stem.

Cut the stem into slices. When you cut a slice, you will find that there will be lot of fiber coming out. Remove it with your fingers.

Put the slices in the yogurt water mixture to prevent the discolouring of stem ( prevent oxidation).

Chop the slices into small cubes and again put it in the water yogurt mixture till required. When required, drain and use.