Bananas are considered to be one of the healthiest fruits. You might usually see a dietician recommending eating a banana or drinking a banana smoothie before a hardcore workout session. While the ripe fruit gets its much-required attention, its raw counterpart is often overlooked.
It would not be surprising to know that just like ripe bananas, raw bananas are too beneficial for your health. They are filled with vitamins and minerals that can improve your overall well-being. But the question remains: how can you add raw bananas to your diet? If you are looking for delicious ways to eat raw bananas, here are some recipes you must try.
Raw Banana Sabzi
Raw banana sabzi, or raw banana stir fry, is one of the go-to options for people who like to experiment with the fruit. Not only is it savoury, but the sabzi is really easy to make. All you need to do to make raw banana sabzi is chop the fruit into really thin slices. Then. you can heat some oil and stir-fry the slices with a mix of spices. To add some extra flavour, you can mix in mixed vegetables like chopped onions, tomatoes, carrots, peas, etc. and enjoy with a roti or rice.
Vazhakkai Vada
The South Indian classic, Vazhakkai Vada or raw banana fritters are crunchy snacks that you can pair with your evening chai. To make the fritters, you can finely slice raw bananas. Then, you can make a uniform batter by mixing besan (chickpea flour), water, and your preferred spices. Next, coat the sliced banana pieces in the batter. Gently drop them in a pan with oil and deep fry till they are golden brown and relish with imli or mint chutney.
Kache Kele Ki Tikki
Kache kele ki tikki or raw banana cutlets can be made as a healthy vegetarian snack. All you need to do to make these cutlets is take some raw bananas and mash them. Then, mix the mashed bananas with boiled potatoes, chopped onion, and cheese. You can then take small portions of the mixture, shape them into patties, and shallow fry them till they are crispy. Finally, you can relish them with a spicy chutney.
Raw Banana Smoothie
Raw banana smoothie is a quick recipe that you can make whenever you are in a rush, but you also need something healthy. To make this creamy smoothie, you can take a hand blender or food processor to blend raw bananas. You can then blend further with yoghurt, honey, and dry fruits and nuts.
Vazhakkai Curry
Vazhakkai curry, or raw banana curry, is a traditional Indian dish that is often made in South Indian households. To make this curry, you can start by boiling raw bananas till they are fragrant. Then, you can make a curry by simmering it with chopped onions, ginger and garlic paste, along with a mix of your go-to spices. Serve the curry with a dosa, idli, or rice.
Raw Banana Salad
If you are looking for a quick and light dish to make with raw bananas, you can try making a refreshing salad. For the salad, you can grate raw bananas that will act as a binder. Then, mix in chopped tomatoes, onions, and capsicum, along with a little drizzle of lemon juice. You can have the salad as is or pair it with grilled meat or roasted vegetables.