“Harve Kele Masala Upkari (Raw Banana Masala Bhaji)” ... kept today’s lunch simple as I had loads of other work to catch up on … so prepared harve kele upkari with some chatpata masala added on and served as side dish with yesterdays saaru along with sheetha and roasted papad … trust me Saaru, Panna Upkari and a few more dishes always are tastier the next day ... in all, definitely heartwarming- soul food … Yummilicious …
** Here is a simple side dish prepared with raw bananas that are used extensively for cooking purpose only. This is one of my favorite veggie from childhood and I love all dishes prepared with it though koddel and upkari are my favorite ones. So I often prepare it and serve along with dal/ saar and sheetha (rice) as the simplicity of the taste of this dish lies in serving it without lot of accompaniments, maybe just some roasted papad.
** There is no recipe as such for this upkari it is simply seasoned and then cooked with any spiced masala powders of your choice and served hot immediately. Therefore, without running into more details I am sharing the recipe right away and before I forget to mention, remember to always include a simple veggie bhaji and salad in your daily meals, they are loaded with health benefits and above all they are simple to prepare.
** Recipe for “Harve Kele Masala Upkari (Raw Banana Masala Bhaji)” … My style ..
** Wash, wipe dry and slice off as thinly as possible the outer skin of 2-3 medium sized harve kele/ kacha kela/ raw bananas (400 gms approximately) the one’s used for cooking. Cut it into small cubes say the size of ½ inch and immediately put it in a bowl full of water and keep it aside. Adding it into water prevents it from being blackened and is a necessary step that should be followed. Keep this ready aside before you start cooking.
** Note: You can also use stringing method and peel off skin which retains the innermost skin touching the banana intact, which is what we follow.
** Heat 2 tblsp of Coconut oil/tel (or any edible oil that you use) in a thick bottomed kadai, when hot lower the heat, add in 1 tsp of mustard seeds (sasam/ rai) and when it splutters add ½ to 1 tsp of hing powder (asafoetida) followed by 8-10 fresh curry leaves (kadipatta/ karbev) and fry for a minute or two only.
** Drain off the water from raw bananas and add to the seasoning, mix well. Add in 2 tsp of malvani masala powder (+/- depending upon its spice level and individual choice), ½ tps of haldi (turmeric) powder along with salt (namak/ meeta) to taste. Sprinkle some water, mix well, cover and cook on low heat stirring once or twice and sprinkling water when needed.
** Note : I have added malvani masala powder as somehow I love this powder as it adapts very well to dishes giving a lovely taste. However, you can add any powder like pav bhaji, chole, biryani, misal powders available freely too. If not you can just add chilly powder, coriander powder, jeera powder and a small pinch of garam masala powder.
** This is a dry thick spices coated upkari/ bhaji so do not add in much water while cooking but at the same time keep a watch and sprinkle as is necessary only till cooked and done. Also cook on low heat and do not raise the heat high which will burn or stick them to the kadai/ pan and become difficult to stir later, so be careful.
** “Harve Kele Masala Upkari (Raw Banana Masala Bhaji)” is done and ready to be served. This is served as side dish along with dalitoy/ saaru and rice and tastes best that way without overcrowding of other dishes. It’s very easy to prepare and definitely a nutritious and healthy dish to be added to your lunchtimes especially if you have growing children.
** You can also garnish on top with some freshly grated coconut (nariyal/ jeevi soyi) or you can also garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves (dhania/ kothambari pallo). I have not done so, however it is individual liking and at times I do add coconut topping.
** There are many more delicious- healthy “Upkari” in my Blog to which I am sharing a common link below, do click on and browse through and try them out in your convenience …
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