Plantain Stem Raita (Vazhapindi Pachadi) | South Indian veg recipe

Any of the South Indian feasts, is incomplete without a raita or pachadi. We will make the usual raita a bit more healthy by preparing the pachadi using Plantain stem. So, enjoy this special south Indian recipe called in Kerala as vazhapindi pachadi. This summer, take it with rice and other side dishes and reap its health benefits.  Plantain stem benefits include detoxification, digestion and will reduce gastric problems. Above all, this is also considered as a rich source of fiber.

Instructions

How to prepare Vazhapindi or Vazhaithandu ( Banana stem or plantain stem) for cooking

First of all, peel the plantain stem fully, as only the center part is used for cooking. The core of the stem is cylindrical and we will  remove the fiber from it for proper cooking.

Plantain stem peeling

Then, cut about 2-3 mm thick portion of the core as shown below..

Plantain stem cutting

After that, while separating the piece, use fingers to wind the fibers out.

Plantain stem fiber

Then, repeat these steps, so that we will have thin circular slices without any fiber. Finally, chop these pieces into required sizes as per the dish prepared.

Moreover, the recipe video mentioned below, shows the detailed steps.

Preparation of Plantain stem pachadi (vazhapindi pachadi / unnipindi pachadi)

Step 1

Ingredients

• Coconut – ¼ cup(grated)
• Shallots – 3 to 4 nos
• Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp
• Water – ½ cup
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Preparation

First of all, grind all the above ingredients except mustard seeds, to a fine paste. After that add mustard seeds to it and grind coarsely.

Step 2

Ingredients

• Plantain stem – 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Green chilli – 2 nos (slitted)
• Salt – as needed
• Water – ½ cup
• Curry leaves – few

Preparation

Take an earthen pot or any other pan. Then cover and cook all the above ingredients till no water is left. As a result,  the plantain stem pieces will turn soft and mushy. Add the ground paste from step 1 and mix well. DO NOT BOIL IT AFTER THIS. Then, leave it for cooling down

Step 3

Ingredients

• Coconut oil – 1 to 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Shallots – 5 nos (finely chopped)
• Dried red chilli – 4 to 5 nos
• Curry leaves – few
• Yogurt – 1 to 2 cups

Preparation

In a heated pan, add the oil. After the oil becomes hot, add mustard seeds and wait for popping. Then, add dried red chilli, shallots, curry leaves and saute for a while. After that, add this to the prepared pachadi in step 2. Finally, beat the yogurt and add this also to the pachadi. Now, mix well and plantain stem pachadi is ready to serve.

Refer step by step cooking video below.

Another similar Raita recipe :

Mango pachadi recipe

Mango pachadi recipe video