Vazhaikkai Podi

Vazhaikkai Podi

Vazhaikkai or Raw Banana


Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.
But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

• Depression: Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
• Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.
• Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.
• Brain Power:  Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
• Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
• Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
• Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
• Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
• Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
• Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. To avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
• Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
• Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
• Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
• Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with
• the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
• Strokes:  Eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.


Here I'm presenting a traditional yet very delicious and healthy dish which I learnt from my Mother-in-Law. Vazhakkai Podi made with Raw Banana.

Vazhaikkai Podi

Ingredients

Vazhaikkai - 2 nos
Thoor Dhall - 1 tbsp
Red chilli - 5  to 6 nos
Asafoetida powder - 1 pinch
Curry leaves - 2 strands
Salt - As required
Oil - 3 to 4 tsp

 

Method

Cut vazhaikkai into two halves. Pressure cook with skin upto 3 whistles. Allow it to cool and remove the skin. Grate the pulp in a carrot grater and keep aside.

 

 

Roast Thoor dhall, Red chilli, Curry leaves and asafoetida powder with 1 tsp oil till golden brown. Allow it to cool.

Dry grind the roasted ingreadients in a mixer grinder with salt to a coarse powder.

 

Mix the grated Vazhakkai pulp with the ground powder in a mixing bowl.

Season with Mustard seeds and Cuury leaves.

This powder is to be taken with hot rice and ghee. Any vegetable Raitha, or Ginger pachadi will be a nice combination.

Have a nice day. Will meet you all with another healthy dish shortly. Till then take care.