Vazhakoombu Cherupayar Thoran / Banana Flower - Green Gram Thoran

Ingredients:

1 vazhakoombu / banana flower, finely chopped

1/2 cup green gram / cherupayar

1/2 cup grated coconut

3-4 shallots

3 green chillies

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp mustard seeds

3 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

salt to taste

2 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Soak green gram in water overnight and pressure cook it adding enough water and salt. Drain the water and keep it aside.
2. Apply little oil in your hand and remove the outer hard layers of vazhakoombu/ banana flower until you find the pale coloured edible part and chop it finely and soak in water for 15 minutes.
3. Crush grated coconut, shallots, green chillies and turmeric powder together and keep it aside.
4. Heat coconut oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and add curry leaves and dry red chillies.
5. Add chopped vazhakoombu and salt and saute it well and cook covered in low flame.
6. Then add cooked green gram and crushed mixture and mix well and cook covered in low flame for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally till all the water dries up.
7. Remove from flame and serve with rice..