VAZHAITHANDU SALAD/BANANA STEM RAITHA

Vazhaithandu refers to banana stem or plantain stem. It is very healthy. There are lots of benefits if we eat banana stem.It is very effective against kidney stones. Provides relief for constipation.It is enriched with iron and Vit. B6.

Ingredients
*Vazhaithandu – 1cup
*Curd – 3/4 or 1 cup
*Chillies -1 or 2
*Curry leaves _ a few
*Oil – 1 tbs
*Urad dhal -1 tsp
*Mustard seeds – 1/2tsp

METHOD
1.First remove the skin that is outer ring of banana stem.
2.There are two ways to cut the stem.One cut in circles to remove the extra fibre.
The other one is to chop the banana stem and soak it in curd and you immerse a stick of a handle of the spoon into the curd mixture and circulate it. The extra fibre will come in the spoon.
3. Soak the chopped pieces in buttermilk or lemon juice to retain its color.
Two ways for preparing the salad.

One can eat this as a raw salad.
The other way is to cook the chopped banana stem in buttermilk for few minutes. Then add the seasoning to it.

Optional:

Can grind green chillies in 2 tbs coconut scrapings and mix in raitha.