Vazha Pindi Cherupayar Thoran - Banana Stem and Green Gram Stir-Fried with Grated Coconut / Vazha Thandu and Pacha Pairu Poriyal

Banana tree is called Kalpavruksha in Sanskrit. This means that this plant gives us every thing that is desired. Needless to say, another highly nutrituous part of the banana plant is the Banana Stem or Vazha Pindi in Malayalam / Vazha Thandu in Tamil. 

It is very high on fibre and hence extremely good to treat constipation. It is also known to be very effective in treating kidney stones and is also an excellent diuretic.

Banana stem juice combined with buttermilk and taken on an empty stomach helps in weight reduction. 

The juice also relieves ulcers, burning sensation and acidity. 

Banana stem is believed to have a cooling effect on the body and hence, is recommended in tropical climates.

Here we use this banana stem to prepare a side dish for rice which is called Pindi Cherupayar Thoran.

Banana Stem peeled

Ingredients:

Green gram – 50 gms

Plantain stem - 1 no. – around 20 cms long

Onion - 1 big no

Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon

Green Chilly - 3 nos.

Coconut - 1/4 grated

Mustard - 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves - 6-8 nos.

Dry red chillies - 2 nos.

Cooked Green gram

Salt to taste

Process:

Soak the Green gram in water overnight.

Wash the green gram thoroughly. Cook the green gram. If you are cooking in a pressure cooker, for one glass of green gram one  glass of water would be required. This ratio is applicable only to green gram that has been soaked overnight. 
Add salt as required. Keep it aside.

Banana stem slice

Remove the outer cover of the plantain stem till it reaches a point where there is no cover to peel off. Cut it into circles of around .5 cm thick. While cutting it, remove the web-like fibers with your index fingers. Pour some coconut oil into your hand while doing this to avoid hands getting stained.

Banana Stem chopped

Then chop these into small pieces as shown. Cook this separately in boiled water and add salt while cooking these.Once coked, keep it aside.

Chop onions into small pieces and keep it aside. Also chop green chillies into long pieces and keep aside.

Take a frying pan pour 2 teaspoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, put one teaspoon mustard into it and wait for mustard to splutter. Put 2 broken red  chilies into the pan and stir. Add turmeric powder and mix well so that these get fried. 

Then add the cooked Plantain stem into the pan and mix it thoroughly for it to get sauteed. 

After a minute, add the chopped onions and green chillies into it and mix thoroughly.

After a couple of minutes, once the onions get slightly cooked/become translucent, add the cooked green gram into the pan and mix it thoroughly.

Then add the grated coconut into it. Mix these well and leave for 4-5 min with the pan open for the constituents to get sautéed.

The steps are shown below:

Pindi-cherupayar thoran is ready. Serves 4-5 people.

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