Arati Puvvu Koora

Ingredients

1 banana flower (medium)
1 red onion
1 medium tomato
2-3 green chilies
½- 1 tbsp tamarind paste/ pulp
½ tbsp jaggery (optional)
1/4th tsp turmeric
1 tsp minced ginger
Salt to taste
For seasoning
2 tbsp oil
2 dry red chilies (broken)
1 tsp urad dal
1 tsp channa dal
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp mustard seeds
A pinch of asafetida
Curry leaves (fistful)
Cleaning
As you remove each flap from the pod, it exposes a row of florets that look like a comb. Separate the cluster. Each flower in the cluster will contain one hard and long stigma and a transparent covering. Discard the stigma and the transparent covering, leaving the other part of the flower. As you go down the pod, the stigma will no longer be hard and thick. You will also notice that the transparent covering is not more visible. When you reach this stage, you do not need to separate them anymore. Repeat the procedure until the layers of the pod can no longer be separated easily. You will see a pale creamy colored pod which looks like a conch. It has a slight bitter taste can be eaten raw or in salads. You can also add it to the dish, finely chopping then along with the florets. Now chop all the cleaned florets and immerse them in a big bowl of cold water. Clean them thoroughly at least 4 – 5 times. Using a drainer, drain the water, rest them for 10 mins. Now gently press and squeeze all the excess water from the chopped florets and keep aside

Heat the skillet/pan on medium heat along with oil. Add red chillies, urad dal, channa dal and fry them until starts changing the color (light golden brown). Now add cumin, mustard seeds, hing and allow then to pop. Add curry leaves, green chillies, onions and sauté until the onion changes to transparent color. Now add turmeric, chopped tomatoes, tamarind pulp, and jaggery and cook until the tomatoes becomes soft and mushy. Now stir in chopped banana florets and mix well. Turn the heat to medium-low, put the lid and cook. Keep stirring in the middle gently. Add salt mix well and cook for another 10 minutes or until done. Do not over mix it as it will break the florets and dish will become mushy. The moisture from tomatoes and banana florets are sufficient for them to cook.

Serve it as a side dish along with hot rice and ghee (clarified butter).