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Vazhakkai poriyal with step by step photos and video is a tasty and easy poriyal that is made with raw banana. Quick to make, this is as delicious as the potato poriyal.

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Table of Contents

What is vazhakkai

Vazhakkai is nothing but the raw banana in Tamil. It is also called plantain. Raw banana is a very versatile veggie that can be in numerous ways. It is added to sambars, made as chips or even as thogayal.

How to make the garlic chili paste

One of the ingredients that goes into making this recipe is the garlic and chili paste.

You can either crush the garlic using a stone pestle or use a mixie. For the most authentic taste, use the stone pestle. Though the process is tedious, the flavor is simply amazing. Also, you can use whole dry red chili while crushing the garlic or add the red chili powder.

You can also store the garlic chili paste in the refrigerator for a month. Do not add water while grinding for preserving longer. You can find a lot of recipes on the blog that use this garlic chili paste like bharwa karela, potato podimas.

How to make vazhakkai poriyal

Making this dish is pretty easy. All you have to do is simply prepare a tempering and add the banana to it. Then you need to add the chili garlic paste for taking the poriyal to altogether another level of flavor and aroma.

Pro Tips / Important things to remember

Dice the raw banana into small pieces for the best taste. If you cut it thick, they might just not be cooked thoroughly as desired.
As soon as you cut the raw banana, place them in water to prevent discoloration.
Cook on low to medium heat for best results.
Do not cook in pressure cooker.
This dish doesn’t require a lot of oil. But if you want a crunchy flavor, you can add in a little bit extra oil and cook until crispy.

Step By Step pictorial of vazhakkai poriyal recipe

Cut the raw banana into small cubes and place them in water.

Heat oil in a pan and add the ingredients for the tempering. Fry them for a minute.

Add in the diced banana pieces, salt and turmeric powder. Stir the banana well until all the water is absorbed from it.

Cook the vazhakkai poriyal on low heat while stirring occasionally.

When the banana is almost done, add the prepared chili garlic paste. Mix well till it is fully coated with the raw banana.

Cook till the banana is fully cooked and done. Serve hot.

Serving suggestions:

Serve this vazhakkai poriyal hot immediately. This can be a great side dish with some plain hot rice and chettinad onion kulambu.

This can be served at lunch or at dinner too. It is a great health food. You can try reducing the amount of oil and have it as a main meal as well.

Let’s get started with the vazhakkai poriyal or the raw banana poriyal