Basics of Indian Cooking: How to Clean Banana Stem (Vazhaithandu/ Arati Kandam/ Bale Dindu)


Once we master the process of cleaning banana stem, this is a crunchy and flavorful vegetable which can be added in many recipes. Please watch the video shown how my mom cleans this stem without using a peeler. All we need is a good quality serrated knife.

If the banana stem is very fibrous after removing the outer stem, chop the stem into coins and soak the vegetable in a pot of buttermilk (2 tbsp yogurt) or 1/2 lime juice for half hour before preparing any recipe this way the vegetable will soften faster. 


Detail Video How to Clean Banana Stem๐Ÿ˜‰

For salads use lime juice to soften it adds flavor and sour taste, for curries soak in butter milk (2 tbsp yogurt diluted in water).

Banana stem chopped into coins can be used in smoothies or added in sambar (lentil soup).

Banana stem chopped into tiny pieces can be used in salads, curries or stir fries.

Tips for buying and storing Banana Stem:
From october to march there is a huge harvest for banana. In south we harvest banana till may. Try buying banana stem in these months.

Always check for quality of stem it should not be soft when we squeeze it or brown in color. The center core must be hard and white in color.

Until use wrap the stem in newspaper and store it in the refrigerator. We can par boil the stem and also refrigerated until use.





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