“Banana Stem- Onion Clear Soup topped with Pumpkin seeds” … the benefits of banana tree on whole is immense, be it ripe/ raw bananas, its flower or the innermost stem part that are packed with essential nutrients while the other parts like leaves and parts of the outer stem are excellent sources of sustainable materials … I have prepared this soup using gabbo (in Konkani) which is innermost part of banana stem that is rich in fiber, low in calorie, has cooling properties, beneficial to diabetics, helps in constipation, easy to digest and being diuretic helps in body detoxification … addition of pumpkin seeds helps keep our heart young and healthy as they are a good source of zinc, antioxidants, magnesium etc. … sip on this lemon flavored clear soup simmering hot to beat winter cold … Yummilicious ….
** I have written a little about the benefits of banana stem/ gabbo on title and the rest is easily available on net. However, many are reluctant to use the banana stem or are unaware of its uses and though, I must admit the taste is bland, it is the immense nutritional value of the stem that counts. So, the next time you find them in your market do purchase and try it out, there are plenty of recipes included in the blog. I am sharing common link at the bottom of recipe which you can browse through in leisure.
** The only hitch of banana stem is you have to be careful while cutting it and prepare it the right way. The excess fiber in plantain stem if not removed properly will be difficult to swallow. In addition, if threads are hanging out, it is neither pleasing nor appealing. So cleaning the vegetable well is important and you have to learn it properly. I have enclosed a picture below, but you may refer to any You Tube for more details of the same which will definitely be useful. Now, let’s move on to the recipe which is really easy.
Gabbo/ Banana Stem Cleaning/
Cutting Method Just for reference.
** Here is my recipe for “Banana Stem- Onion Clear Soup topped with Pumpkin seeds” … my style … definitely a healthy soup …
** Ingredients :
Gabbo/ Plantain Stem : 3 cups medium sized chopped.
Piyavu/ Kanda/ Onion : 2 large sized
Alle’/ Ginger/ Adrak : 1 tsp
Losun/ Garlic/ Lehsun : 2 tsp cut to small pieces.
Tarni Mirsanga/ Hari Mirchi/ Green Chilly : 1-2
Haldi/ Turmeric Powder : a small pinch
Jeera/ Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
Kala Namak/ Meeta/ Black Salt : to taste (you can use normal table salt too)
Toop/ Ghee : 2 tsp
Kali Miri/ Mire/ Black Peppercorns : coarsely powderd as required.
Dried Pumpkin Seeds : as required (optional)
Limbiyo/ Nimboo/ Lemon : 1 tsp freshly squeezed (optional)
** Corn flour for thickening : (Optional) I have not used.
** Cut cylindrical piece of plantain stem into 3 inch sized pieces. Remove the outermost cover that’s inedible and then cut into either triangular or square pieces depending upon the diameter of the gabbo/ banana stem. Soak them in water immediately as you cut them to piece to avoid discoloration of the same.
** If the outer coverings have gone darker or looks spoilt/ inedible they can be easily peeled off and discarded before cutting them. Use only the bright, firm white part for cooking. Use sharp edged knife for cutting as this will give lesser wastage of threads that leaves out through the sides as you cut the stem pieces.
** As you cut the slices, you will find there are threads coming out of cut pieces, these are fibers that should be pulled off and discarded. The final cut pieces should have no loose threads hanging out of them. In all for this soup I have used 3-4 cups of cut pieces which gives about 3 full cups of soup only.
** Peel off the outer skin of the onions, garlic and cut them into small sized pieces and keep it aside ready. Similarly scrub off the outer skin of ginger and cut it also into small sized pieces, similarly green chillies. You can use an electric chopper and chop all four ingredients together if necessary too, it’s just easier.
** Heat ghee in a pressure cooker pan on medium heat, when hot lower the heat and add in jeera and fry for a second, then finely chopped ginger, garlic, onions, green chilly and fry for a few minutes, say about 2 mins. Add haldi powder, mix well, add a large pinch of salt followed by banana stem and mix well.
** Add in 2-3 cups of water and pressure cook on medium heat to one whistle, then lower the heat to minimum and cook for another 3-4 minutes or in all to 3 whistles. Remove and set aside and let the pressure fall on it’s own. When able to open the lid, do so and allow the ingredients to be completely cool down.
** Add into a mixie and grind to a fine textured paste adding water as required. Remove and strain the soup into a vessel, add more water to bring to required consistency and then bring to a boil on medium heat. Add salt to taste, coarsely ground black pepper powder and let cook well for 5-8 minutes stirring often and its done.
** Just before serving the soup add in a dash of lemon juice which is optional, you may leave it out if you do not like sour taste. I have added lemon juice as it gives out a lovely tart taste. Lastly add in the roasted pumpkin seeds just before serving to add on the crunch and make the soup that much more healthier which is again optional.
** About Corn Flour : Corn flour is used as a thickening agent to dishes especially soups mostly in hotels. I refrain from using it as I consider it slightly unhealthy. However, it is a personal choice and you may do so if desired. Just mix a tablespoon with half cup of normal water and then add on to the cooking soup towards the end and keep stirring as it thickens. Let cook for about 2-3 minutes and its done.
** “Banana Stem- Onion Clear Soup topped with Pumpkin seeds” is done and ready to be served. I served this soup steaming hot with a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional) and roasted pumpkin seeds (optional) for added health benefits along with some air fried potato fingers and it was awesome. You may serve either way you wish or you can serve with any other toppings that you usually do so while serving soups too, like bread croutons, bread sticks, grated cheese, toast etc.
** This is a clear soup and I have maintained a thinner consistency which is loved in my home and it is not only healthy but tastes wonderful. I have not thickened the soup, which can be done using corn flour; however, I do not consider it very healthy, though you may do so if desired. In all definitely a healthy version of soup, I would say something different for a change, yet very tasty. Sometimes we need to give priority to health above all other things, so do try it, sure to be loved in your home too.
** Sharing a common link below to all “Gabbo/ Banana stem” dishes shared in the Blog, do browse through in leisure and enjoy them ….
** You can also check out more “Soups” under the common link provided below …
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