Recipe for Raw Banana Sabzi

Name: Recipe for Raw Banana Sabzi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 Raw Banana; Water, to cook the Banana; ½ tsp Turmeric Powder; 1 tsp Cumin Seeds; 1 tsp Urad Dal; 1 tsp Chana Dal; 8-10 Curry Leaves; 1 Medium-Sized Onion; 2-3 Dry Red Chillies; 1 tbsp Grated Coconut; 1 tbsp Coriander Seeds; Salt, to taste; Fresh Coriander Leaves, to garnish

Banana is a versatile fruit. The plant requires a long growing season of 9 to 15 months, with ample sunlight and temperatures above 15°C. The southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, in India, offer just the right conditions for this plant to grow and thrive. Therefore, these states are among the highest producers of bananas in the country.

And, because bananas grow in abundance in these states, they have found their way into the local cuisines. Not only is the banana consumed as a fruit, but its flowers and stems are also cooked and made into delicious dishes. In addition, raw banana is used for making various dishes like Bhajji, Sabzi, Kofta etc. Even the leaves of this plant have been used for generations for serving meals comprising steamed rice, gravy dishes, deals, sabzi, etc., making them an eco-friendly option compared to styrofoam and plastic plates that are so commonly used these days.

Some days back, on a visit to an Indian shop near my house, I found raw bananas and brought them home to cook a dish I had so often eaten in my childhood. This sabzi is easy to make and pairs well with steamed rice served with Sambar or rasam. The mildness of this sabzi balances the tanginess of sambar or rasam.

For those new to using raw bananas in their kitchen, look at the pictures below that show what raw banana looks like and how it should be peeled and cut.

Now, let us start with the recipe:

Ingredients needed to make Raw Banana Sabzi:

1 Raw Banana
Water, to cook the Banana
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp Urad Dal
1 tsp Chana Dal
8-10 Curry Leaves
1 Medium-Sized Onion
2-3 Dry Red Chillies
1 tbsp Grated Coconut
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
Salt, to taste
Fresh Coriander Leaves to garnish

Method to make Raw Banana Sabzi:

Add water to a pot of water and bring it to a boil.
Once the water comes to a boil, add the banana slices. Cook in high heat.
Once the banana is cooked ( but still has a bite), strain out the water.
Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, urad dal and chana dal.
Add curry leaves and chopped onion. Fry till the onions turn translucent.
Meanwhile, combine grated coconut, dry red chillies and coriander seeds. Keep aside.
To the pan, add the cooked banana slices.
Mix. Then add the ground mixture. Add salt and mix.
Reduce the heat. Sprinkle a few drops of water. Cover and cook for about 1 minute.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

About Ingredient sourcing in Germany:
You can get the ingredients needed for this recipe from any Indian shop near you, or you can check out the online store of Spicelands. They are a big store in Frankfurt, delivering all across Germany.

Alternatively, you can even buy these ingredients from amazon.de. Links are given below:
Turmeric Powder: https://amzn.to/3M2IWX4
Cumin Seeds: https://amzn.to/3W1QKwN
Chana Dal: https://amzn.to/3M2iZa5
Urad Dal: https://amzn.to/44Q4Plf
Curry Leaves: https://amzn.to/3Bt5JGB
Onion: https://amzn.to/41NAIIx
Dry Red Chillies: https://amzn.to/3nY0JH2
Coconut: https://amzn.to/41wNNFF
Coriander Seeds: https://amzn.to/41urBMt
Coriander: https://amzn.to/3AZWU76
Salt: https://amzn.to/3ACstDM

Equipment needed for the recipe:
Please note that I use all these in my kitchen. I am happy and satisfied with these products, and hence, I recommend these to my readers.

Pan: https://amzn.to/3NS4nNd
Pot for boiling the water ( I use the smallest one): https://amzn.to/3O21LfN
Cutting Board: https://amzn.to/3n9IXjM
Knife Set (includes a bread knife): https://amzn.to/3Lg64Bj

Here is the recipe in printable format: