Artikaya Vepudu (Raw Banana Stir Fry - Andhra style)

 

           Artikaya Vepudu or in simple terms Raw Banana Stir Fry is an Andhra style spicy and tangy dish prepared with raw bananas / plantains. This comforting dish is best enjoyed with hot steamed rice or as a side dish with curd rice, sambar rice or rasam rice. However, you may also enjoy with paratha or chapatti. 

          In fact, raw banana tastes better if prepared in this way. To enhance the flavor you may also drizzle some ghee while serving. So with very few ingredients, you can prepare this amazingly flavorful dish in no time. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this classic and lip smacking regional delicacy.

           This Artikaya Vepudu is a very popular dish in many regions of Andhra, where it is enjoyed by the local folk and found in every Andhra household and restaurants. Each family and restaurant has their own unique style of preparing it. 

           Basic ingredients, available in the kitchen goes into the preparation. It simply tastes awesome with hot steamed rice and some ghee. You don't need anything else to satiate your hunger. A simple meal like this brings a deep satisfaction beyond compare. 

• 2-3 medium size raw banana, peeled & cubed
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp. urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 tbsp. chana dal (Bengal gram)
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 5-6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 green chilies, stopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1-2 tsp. sambar powder
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and stir fry the raw banana cubes with a pinch of turmeric powder and salt till they turn light golden in color. Keep aside.

          Temper the remaining oil with mustard seeds. After it stops crackling, add the dry red chilies, chana dal, urad dal and asafoetida. 

          Add the onion, garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, salt to taste and turmeric powder. Sauté till  light brown. 

          Now add the fried raw banana and the tomato paste. Sprinkle some water and mix everything well. Sauté for 2 minutes. 

          When done, add the sambar powder and coriander leaves. Give it a stir and serve as a side dish with curd rice, sambar rice or chapatti. 

Notes - 

1.  Immerse the cubed raw banana in salt water to avoid discoloration. 

2.  I skipped red chili powder and kept it mild. However, you may add to make it more spicy. 

3.  I added tomato paste in this recipe. Tamarind paste or some tamarind pulp can be substituted to make it more tangy.

Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan & stir fry the raw banana cubes with a pinch of turmeric powder & salt till they turn light golden in color. Keep aside.

           Temper the remaining oil with mustard seeds. Allow it to crackle.

              Add the dry red chilies, chana dal, urad dal & asafoetida. 

Add the onion, garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, salt & turmeric powder. Sauté till  light brown. 

                       Add the fried raw banana & the tomato paste. 

                Sprinkle some water and mix well. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. 

     When done, add the sambar powder & coriander leaves. Give it a stir.

               Serve as a side dish with curd rice, sambar rice or chapatti.