Valakkai Varuval (Roast) / Raw Banana Pepper Chops

Happy Ugadi to all my readers out there! Hope u r having a great week.Am having a bzzz week here inspite of it...am trying not to miss any updates of those wonderful blogs. Have created a fan page in FB for Sharmis Passions if you r interested, do join me here .

Now coming to todays vazhakai chops, I got this recipe from one of my aunts and it was soo tasty with curd rice. Do try it out and see!

Ingredients :

• Raw Banana/Vazhakai - 1
• Turmeric powder - a pinch
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 1tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Grinding :

• Coconut - 2tbsp
• Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
• Garlic - 4 to 5 pieces
• Pepper - 2 to 3 tsp

Method:

1.First cut the raw banana lengthwise like finger chips. Half boil it in water(It shudnt be mashy hard enough to get roasted), then marinate it with salt, chilli and turmeric powder, allow it to sit for 15mins.

2.Grind the ingredients under grinding to a fine paste with minimum water.

3.Add oil, then mustard seeds let it splutter. Now add the raw banana and saute it for 3mins . Next add the ground paste, little more salt if needed and fry well till all is combined well.

4.Sprinkle little water and leave it closed for 2mins for the veggie to cooked fully.Open and keep sauting until it is roasted well, it may take another 5mins.Switch off, serve with curd rice!

NOTE:

Dont overboil raw banana as it many tend to shred into pieces while roasting.

I dont know why it is called chops....it should be roast actually. Whatever the name be, the flavour of coconut and pepper with the veggie is spicy and flavourful making it a apt combo for curd rice.