Vazhakkai Podimas / Grated Plantain Fry

Finally am done with one of my old drafted recipe Vazhakkai podimas, its been sitting in my draft for more than 5 months, I made this long back along with my Keerai Masiyal but was not satisfied with the pictures, so didn't post it. After that have tried this two times unfortunately my bananas turned mushy after pressure cooking so this time didn't used pressure cooker n got to make it perfectly :)

Its my long time wish to try this Vazhakkai Podimas. I never knew that plantain/vazhakkai can be cooked this way (grated) since my mom never made this for us. She always make simple Vazhakkai fry n its our favorite too. After seeing vazhakkai podimas in many blogs i too wanted to try it but not the simple way. So i tried with some freshly ground spices which is slightly similar to my Chettinad Vazhakkai Varuval. The garlic n pepper in the spice mix gives nice flavor n unique taste to the podimas. Do give this a try sure u will love it. The recipe as follows..

Ingredients

1. Vazhakkai/Raw Banana/Plantain     2 medium (cooked & grated)
2. Onion             1 large (cut in to julienne)
3. Turmeric powder      1/4 tsp
4. Salt       to taste
5. Coconut      1 tbsp(grated/shredded)
6. Cilantro        2 tbsp (finely chopped)

To Temper

1. Oil            1 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds     1/2 tsp
3. Urad dal     1 tsp 
4. Curry leaves        1 sprig

To Roast & Grind

1. Oil     1/2 tsp
2. Pepper corns      1and 1/2 tsp
3. Dry Red chili     2-3 no.
4. Coriander seeds     1 tbsp
5. Chana dal      2 tsp
6. Garlic     2 fat cloves (no need to roast)

Method

• Wash and cut both end of plantain/ raw banana and cook with enough water till soft n tender but not mushy.
• Once done drain the water and wash in cold water and peel the skin and using vegetable shredder shred/grate it and keep aside.

• Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a pan, add first 5 ingredients under the heading "To Roast & Grind" and roast for few minutes or until flavor comes n dal turns light golden color.
• Then remove from heat, allow to cool for a while and grind it along with garlic to a fine coarse powder and keep ready.

• Now heat oil in a pan, add the tempering ingredients and wait till sputter and then add onions and saute it for 1-2 minutes.
• Then add grated plantain, turmeric powder and ground spice mix and stir fry for 1 minute.
• After that close the pan with lid and cook in medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

• And then open the lid n stir well and cook uncovered for a minute, keep stirring.
• Lastly add coconut n cilantro and stir fry for few seconds and turn off the stove.
• That's it...spicy & flavorful Vazhakkai Podimas ready.

Notes:
Banana quality n tenderness may vary, for me pressure cooking doesn't work but if got sturdy n aged raw banana u can pressure cook it.
If u don't like garlic u can omit that but it gives nice flavor n taste n also i used it with skin but can peel them too.