Arati Puvvu Aava Pettina Kura...
Basic Preparations:
Peel the leaf like things on the banana flower and find stems attached to the leaves. Take the stems and discard the leaves. Take each stem and observe carefully. There will be a flat and thin disc like cover which is called PILLELLU IN TELUGU. Remove the PILLELLU by plucking. Similarly find a thin stalk in the center of the stem which has a ball like sticky thing on the top. These are called DONGALLU (thieves) IN TELUGU. Remove the DONGALLU by plucking. For each stem we will find one DONGADU and one PILLEDU. Remove these two things from each stem. It is un- interesting to do this job by one person. So this job is done collectively by all family members. In olden days this job was entrusted to children. To make them do this job elders used tell them “Come let us play DONGA POLICE AATA----Thief & Police Game”. If all the family members are involved in this job, it will be easily done.
Remove the leaves and take out the stems. And in each stem again remove the DONGADU and PILLEDU by plucking. As you go on plucking the leaves the size of the banana flower will become smaller and smaller. At this stage it will be difficult to remove the leaves. So chop that portion finely and add to the florets. At the end of this process you will find your fingers to be sticky and dark brown in color. Smear oil on both of your palms and add some salt. Now rub your palms applying force on the areas where it is dark in color. As salt is abrasive it will clean the dark spots of the banana flower. Then clean your palms with soap.
Preparations:
Take banana florets into a processor bowl and add turmeric powder. Run the processor and chop them finely. Add the chopped banana florets to a bowl of water and wash them. Change water and wash the florets thoroughly for 5 to 6 times. As banana florets are bitter (HERE VAGARU) in taste we need to wash them thoroughly to remove the bitterness. So change water and wash them 5 to 6 times. After washing remove all water from the chopped florets by pressing between palms.
Take a microwave safe bowl and add the washed florets. Add 1/8tsp turmeric powder and 1tsp salt along with 50ml water and place this bowl in a microwave oven and cover it partially. Now cook the florets on high power for 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from oven and cool it. Once cooled take the cooked florets into your hand and press to remove all water.
Take tamarind into a microwave safe bowl and add water to it. Place the bowl in oven and cook on high power for 30 seconds. Cool the cooked tamarind and grind it to get smooth pulp. For this recipe we will need 1 1/2tbsps of tamarind pulp.
Method:
Heat a pan and add oil to it. When oil is hot add the fenugreek seeds, bengal gram followed by black gram. Fry till the seeds start changing color. Then add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Fry till the seeds splutter. Then add curry leaves and green chili-ginger paste. Fry the seasoning well and add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and mix well. Add cooked banana florets, salt and tamarind pulp. Mix well and cook covered on low flame for one minute. Meanwhile prepare the mustard seasoning.
Take red chili and break it into small pieces. add broken red chilies and mustard seeds to a mortar & pestle and crush the ingredients. When the mustard is crushed well, add little water and grind to a smooth paste. The smell of mustard indicates the smoothness of the grinding. Take this prepared mustard into a plate.
Remove the lid of the pan and stir once. Add the mustard seasoning and mix well. Transfer the curry to a serving bowl and serve hot with plain rice.
Points to Remember:
This curry will taste slightly bitter (VAGARU IN TELUGU). Some people like this VAGARU and they enjoy this curry.
Involve your family members in cleaning the banana flower.
Take care about the sticky thing coming out of the banana flower. If the sticky thing comes in contact with your clothes it will permanently remain forever. So avoid contact with the clothes you are wearing. Spread an old cloth and start removing the stalks.
Banana flower has lot of nutrients and is good for health. For pregnant ladies it helps in lactation formation. For ladies suffering from menstrual disorders this flower is beneficial.
I personally do not know what nutrients we get after so much of washing. But it is absolutely necessary to wash it 5 to 6 times to remove the
bitterness.
The taste of tamarind and mustard seasoning gives a great taste to this dish.
