Kaya Mezhukkupuratti
A simple Kerala-style stir-fry made with raw banana, coconut oil, curry leaves, and gentle spices. It cooks up tender inside with lightly crisp edges, making it a lovely side for rice and curry meals.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~10 min
Prep the raw banana.
1.Peel the raw banana and cut it into thin, even batons.2.Rinse the pieces quickly to remove surface starch.3.Slice the shallots and garlic, and slit the green chilies.TIPKeep the pieces even so they cook at the same speed. - boil · ~10 min
Cook the raw banana until just tender.
Add the raw banana, water, turmeric powder, and salt to a pan. Cover and cook on low heat until the pieces are just tender but still hold their shape.
TIPDo not overcook here or the pieces will break while frying. - temper · ~6 min
Make the coconut oil tempering.
1.Heat coconut oil in a wide pan over medium heat.2.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.3.Add curry leaves, sliced shallots, garlic, and green chilies.4.Cook until the shallots soften and lightly color. - saute · ~8 min
Toss and fry the raw banana.
Add the cooked raw banana to the pan with red chili powder and black pepper. Toss gently and cook uncovered, turning now and then, until the edges look lightly crisp and the masala coats the pieces well.
TIPUse a wide pan and avoid stirring too often so the pieces brown instead of turning mushy. - serve
Serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Cut the raw banana into thin, even batons so they soften at the same rate and crisp at the edges together.
- 2After the initial cook, stop as soon as the banana is just tender; overcooked pieces will crumble during the final toss.
- 3Use a wide pan for the tempering and final fry so moisture escapes quickly and the mezhukkupuratti stays dry, not steamy.
- 4Let the mustard seeds fully splutter before adding shallots and curry leaves, or the tempering will taste flat.
- 5Toss gently with a flat spatula instead of stirring vigorously to keep the banana pieces intact.
- 6For better browning, leave the banana undisturbed for short intervals between turns so the sides can catch light color.
- 7Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with a few drops of coconut oil rather than in the microwave, which softens the edges.
Adapt it for your goals.
Jain
Skip shallots and garlic, and use a little extra curry leaves and black pepper for a simpler Kerala-style version without root aromatics.
low oilLow-oil
Reduce the coconut oil slightly and use a well-seasoned wide pan; you will get less crisping but a lighter everyday side dish.
spicierSpicier
Increase black pepper and red chili powder for a hotter, more peppery mezhukkupuratti that pairs especially well with plain rice.
no onionNo-onion
Omit the shallots for a plainer homestyle version where the banana, curry leaves, and coconut oil stand out more clearly.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Filling Plant-Based Side
Raw banana is naturally starchy and satisfying, making this a hearty vegetable side for rice-based meals.
Includes Aromatic Spices
Turmeric, black pepper, garlic, curry leaves, and chilies add flavor complexity without needing heavy sauces.
Minimal Ingredient Dish
This preparation uses simple whole ingredients and a short ingredient list, keeping the dish straightforward and less processed.
Frequently asked questions
Cook it only until just tender in the first stage, then fry gently in a wide pan and avoid frequent stirring.
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