Vegetable Curry of Green Bananas

Our preparation today - Kacha kolar Bora r torkari.

Also known as Kacha Kola r Kofta (fancy name huh?... but preparation here is not so fancy:-) )

Simply put, it is a vegetable curry/tarkari made from green bananas.

It is said that Bananas are the only fruit which can be used completely. The branch/stem, flower of the tree makes for very good tarkari, ripe bananas can be eaten and even banana leaf is used for either serving food or in preparations like Bhapa-eleesh (hilsa).

The Ingredients

(1) Bananas- a dozen

(2) Potatoes- about 6

(3) Oil- as per requirement, about one-fourth of teacup, used for frying.

(4) Green chillis -3 to 4 (or as per taste)- 2 finely chopped and 2 whole.

(5) Salt - one teaspoon

(6) Sugar- a pinch

(7) Onion - 4, finely chopped

(8) Ginger - half teaspoon paste

(9) Turmeric powder - half teaspoon

(10) Dhania/coriander powder - half a teaspoon

(11) Green cardamom -2, seeds crushed, cinnamon and cloves crushed - but optional. Not needed for a simple light preparation.

Method of preparation -

• Boil and peel green bananas and potatoes.  
• After this mix both well and make a consistent  and smooth paste. 
• Add salt, minutely chopped onions and chopped green chilli to it. 
• Make small balls out of this paste and fry it in a container on medium flame till the balls turn golden brown. Use normal cooking oil. Keep the kofta aside.
• Fry one large potato (salted) cut into eight pieces.

(Note the fried bora/kofta can be eaten after it is taken out of pan...they taste quite well too. :-) )

• Add three/four tablespoon of oil in a frying pan/kadai and add  the bay leaves (& crushed cinnamon ,cloves and cardamom if desired) and let it sputter. 
• Add chopped onions, ginger paste (garlic paste can be added but it will make the curry hot and spicier) in it. Fry it till light brown. 
• Add turmeric powder, coriander powder to it and fry that for 2 to 3 minutes. 
• Add fried potatoes and some water to soften the potato. 
• After it has well mixed, add the bora/kofta in the mix followed by water, green chilli, salt and a pinch of sugar for taste.  
• Cook on medium flame for 5 to 10 minutes, till the kofta absorbs the mixture and is soft.  
• Do not over-cook (or add too much water) since the bora/kofta softens very quickly and can actually dissolve. But too little water will make it very dry and can burn the curry.
  

Serve hot with rice.