Vazhakkai podimas or vazhakkai puttu is a simple south Indian accompaniment for rice, sambar/ kuzhambu, made with plantain (raw banana – un ripe banana).
A simple recipe which I learnt through friends, because I have not tried or tasted in my house. I made this 2 weeks back and I found a reader friend used turmeric in this recipe. If I had known, I would have made and clicked with turmeric, but no worries, I have added in ingredients as optional ingredient.
Vazhakkai podimas can be a perfect side dish for tangy kuzhambu varieties. I have tried this another way with different ingredients only once but after many years, now only trying again with this simple method and ingredients.
Vazhakkai podimas recipe
Recipe Cuisine: Indian | Recipe Category: Side dish
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Serves:3
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Serves:3
Click here for cup measurements
Ingredients
Plantain/ vazhakkai – 1
Onion – 1
Green chilli – 3
Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
Turmeric – 1/8 tsp (optional)
Salt – As needed
Oil – 2 tsp
Mustard – 1/2 tsp
Urad dal – 2 tsp
Curry Leaves – a sprig
Onion – 1
Green chilli – 3
Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
Turmeric – 1/8 tsp (optional)
Salt – As needed
To temper:
Oil – 2 tsp
Mustard – 1/2 tsp
Urad dal – 2 tsp
Curry Leaves – a sprig
Step by step instructions:
- Cut vazhakkai (plantain) into two or three and pressure cook with little water for 2 whistles. You can also boil it until 3/4th done.
- Peel off the skin of the plantain and grate it.
- Heat a kadai with oil and temper with mustard, urad dal followed by curry leaves, green chillies and onion. Fry till onion turns just transparent. Add salt and turmeric (if adding) give it a mix.
- Add grated plantain and mix well. Let it get cooked in medium flame for 2 mins.
- Add grated coconut and give it a mix.
Tips
- You can boil 3/4th and proceed with the recipe too instead of pressure cooking.
- Do not overcook the plantain for best flavour and looks.
Serve with any kuzhambu varieties. Delicious, mild and flavourful vazhakkai podimas.
Nice recipe… we generally add ginger while seasoning and a dash of lime juice at the end.
Nice recipe Raji. We normally add grated ginger along with curry leaves. At the end, we add dash of lemon juice
Raji, we call it as Vazhaikkai puttu in the Tirunelveli belt. Yes, we use a piece of ginger, either grated or finely chopped. Traditionally, they use small onions for this. This is usually paired with puli kulambu or sambar. Tastes yumm!!
This is very common in Tirunelveli. It will be in white color and we don't use turmeric. i love this vazhaikkai puttu <3
Oh I see 🙂
Yes, my MIL recently told she too uses small onions for this. Will make it that way next time and love the ginger addition too!
We add lemon juice for potato podimas, will try for this too next time.
Will sure try next time 🙂
Raji, tried the vazhaikkai podimas, came out really tasty. Will try with lime juice and ginger next time. I am finding it a little difficult navigating through your new website looking for recipes. The website looks nice with colorful pictures but your old website was more user friendly and navigable.. Have been using your recipes last few years , very authentic and easy to follow. Love South Indian food!
Hi Prabha, thanks a lot for your feedback, I will sure work on user friendly layout soon. 🙂