Nendranga tholi upperi ( Peel of Nendran raw banana)

Nendran is a type of banana cultivated in Kerala. Perhaps the tastiest of all bananas, Nendran has in fact been the staple fruit and vegetable of Malayalees from ancient times. Almost every portion of the Nendran plant is used by Keralites. The recipes are too many.The raw banana itself can be made into mezhukupuratty (fry) with/ without peel. In such case, the peels can be seperately used to make the tholi upperi. If you can find a Kerala chips shop in your place, then on your purchase of chips you can ask for the peels which they may not use. They will give it to you for free.:)

Here is one recipe with the Peels of nendran banana.Tholi refers to the peel and Upperi to stir fry. This particular dish is rich in fibre and can be served with rice and morekootan/pulissery.Refer to the kootan section for those recipes.

This recipe serves four.

Ingredients:
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Nendran peels  -  300 grams
cow peas         -  200 grams ( red variety)
Green chillies   - 3 to 4
Shredded coconut  - 1/4 cup
Coconut oil            - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds        - 1 tsp                      
Split urad dal          - 1 tsp                
curry leaves            - 1 sprig                

Turmeric powder    - 1/4 tsp
Salt                        -  to taste

Method:
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Soak cow peas overnight.
Wash the nendran peels and chop into small pieces.
Pressure cook the cow peas with half salt. (Just 2 to 3 whistles will do. Do not overcook it)
Cook the nendran peels in a kadai with water just sufficient to cover it with a pinch of turmeric powder.
Add the remaining salt to the peels once it is half cooked.
Once it is cooked, transfer the contents onto a plate.Drain if there is excess water from the cow peas and nendran peels.
Pound shredded coconut and green chillies finely.
In the same kadai, add coconut oil.
When it is hot, add mustard seeds and urad dal.
When it splutters, add curry leaves and the coconut-chilli mixture.
Saute for few sec and add the cooked cow peas and nendran peels.
Mix well and cook for few sec.

Serve hot